Date of Award

2023

Degree Name

Environmental Science

College

College of Engineering and Computer Sciences

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Dr. Scott Simonton, Committee Chairperson

Second Advisor

Dr. Mindy Yeager-Armstead, Committee Member

Third Advisor

James Hemme, Committee Member

Abstract

Aquatic toxicology evaluates the impact of pollution on freshwater and marine biota. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one class of chemicals prevalent in the environment that impair aquatic organisms. This study examined the effect of contaminated surface water and sediments from a former wood treatment facility on four aquatic species: Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow), Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea), Chironomus dilutus (midge), and Daphnia magna (water flea). The findings showed that sediment contamination had no significant effect on survival and growth of C. dilutus or on survival of D. magna. Surface water contamination began to have a significant effect on C. dubia survival at the highest concentration; however, without the observation of a dose-response relationship at lower concentrations, causation cannot be established. Finally, results indicated that ambient conditions within the Little Scioto River, rather than site contamination, significantly inhibited the growth of P. promelas larvae.

Subject(s)

Aquatic sciences.

Water -- Pollution -- Toxicology.

Environmental health.

Creosote -- Environmental aspects.

Sediment.

Toxicity testing.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Ohio.

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