SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1985
STP35259S

Comparison of Laboratory and Field Assessment of Fluorene—Part II: Effects on the Ecological Structure and Function of Experimental Pond Ecosystems

Source

Fourteen experimental ponds were dosed with the energy-related polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon fluorene to effect nominal concentrations of 0.12, 0.5, 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/L. Measurement of emergent aquatic insects revealed no effects due to fluorene application. Zooplankton density was drastically reduced by treatments at 5.0 and 10.0 mg/L; however, it recovered in one to three weeks due to an increase in the number of rotifers that replaced the crustacean zooplankton killed by fluorene. Species richness of the zooplankton community was also reduced by the treatments at 5.0 and 10.0 mg/L. The survival and yield of both largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) were reduced by the treatment at 0.12 mg/L, as were the production and survival of bluegill recruits. The mean increase in weight of adult and recruit bluegills was inversely related to the number surviving, indicating that fluorene toxicity induced a secondary response in the restructuring of the fish community. A comparison of algae and invertebrate laboratory toxicity test results with data from the pond studies revealed that these organisms were more sensitive to fluorene in the laboratory. However, the two species of fish in the ponds were more sensitive to fluorene than in routine laboratory tests.

Author Information

Boyle, TP
Water Resources Laboratory, National Park Service, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
Finger, SE
Water Resources Laboratory, National Park Service, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
Paulson, RL
School of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, University of Missouri and Missouri Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Columbia, MO
Rabeni, CF
School of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, University of Missouri and Missouri Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Columbia, MO
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 134–151
DOI: 10.1520/STP35259S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4930-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0433-4