Pub Date : 2013-12-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.3.0145
L. A. Emili, Daniel M. Morrison, Celeste M. Huss, Carolyn G. Mahan, E. P. Levri
Students in an undergraduate independent study course at Penn State Altoona investigated the use and potential effects of chemical deicers on the water quality of the stream that runs through the campus. Spring Run supports a wild trout population and is a tributary of the Little Juniata River and a headwater stream for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Students collected pre- and post- chemical deicer application water samples from Spring Run stream over four sampling dates. Water samples were analyzed for potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), dissolved oxygen, pH, chloride (Cl−) and ammonia as nitrogen (NH3−). None of the parameters sampled exceeded the standard guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. However, this study found cause for future research, particularly as it relates to the concentration of chloride in stream water. Chloride exhibited significant increases in concentration between pre- and post-deicer application. With the exception of one sampling date, chloride concentrations (19.2–63.7 mg/L) fell within the range of concentrations found in streams in the northeast United States that have been contaminated by rock salt inputs. The learning outcomes and skill development objectives of this field-intensive experience were driven by the assumption that this type of field-based educational experience enhances student learning by contextualizing complex geographical processes better than a solely classroom-based experience. Through the research process students were exposed to working with field techniques, GPS, GIS, datasets and statistics.
{"title":"A Student-Based Investigation to Assess the Impacts of Chemical Deicers on the Water Quality of Spring Run Stream in Altoona, Pennsylvania","authors":"L. A. Emili, Daniel M. Morrison, Celeste M. Huss, Carolyn G. Mahan, E. P. Levri","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.3.0145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.3.0145","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Students in an undergraduate independent study course at Penn State Altoona investigated the use and potential effects of chemical deicers on the water quality of the stream that runs through the campus. Spring Run supports a wild trout population and is a tributary of the Little Juniata River and a headwater stream for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Students collected pre- and post- chemical deicer application water samples from Spring Run stream over four sampling dates. Water samples were analyzed for potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), dissolved oxygen, pH, chloride (Cl−) and ammonia as nitrogen (NH3−). None of the parameters sampled exceeded the standard guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. However, this study found cause for future research, particularly as it relates to the concentration of chloride in stream water. Chloride exhibited significant increases in concentration between pre- and post-deicer application. With the exception of one sampling date, chloride concentrations (19.2–63.7 mg/L) fell within the range of concentrations found in streams in the northeast United States that have been contaminated by rock salt inputs. The learning outcomes and skill development objectives of this field-intensive experience were driven by the assumption that this type of field-based educational experience enhances student learning by contextualizing complex geographical processes better than a solely classroom-based experience. Through the research process students were exposed to working with field techniques, GPS, GIS, datasets and statistics.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-12-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.3.0134
Harry R. Diz, Jason Murnock
A study of arsenic in pond sediments on the Presque Isle peninsula, Erie, PA, was conducted in 2000 and 2001 by Murnoch (2002) due to concerns expressed by citizens and various local officials. Samples of pond and lagoon sediments were collected at thirteen primary sites and additional reference sites for analysis of arsenic content during the fall, 2000, and again in spring, 2001. The probable effect concentration (PEC) for arsenic of 33.0 mg/kg-DW, an indication of the concentration above which adverse impacts on benthic organisms are expected to occur, was exceeded in the surface sediments at all 13 primary sites during fall sampling and in all but one site during spring sampling, with concentrations as high as 393 mg/kg-DW measured. For deeper sediments, the PEC was exceeded in the fall at nine sites and in the spring at six sites. Surface sediments contained more arsenic than did deeper sediments. These differences were more pronounced in the spring samples than in the fall samples. There was a general trend, with numerous exceptions, for sites closer to Gull Point (the geologically ‘new’ end of the peninsula) to have lower arsenic levels. While the source of the arsenic in the sediments of Presque Isle is unknown, these high levels are likely due to natural processes that, over time, have resulted in an enrichment of arsenic in surface sediments. A possible mechanism for this enrichment is proposed. This study has not attempted to document the risk to the ecosystem associated with elevated arsenic concentrations, but it is reasonable to speculate that there could be an adverse impact on some organisms.
{"title":"Distribution of Arsenic in Presque Isle State Park Pond Sediments","authors":"Harry R. Diz, Jason Murnock","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.3.0134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.3.0134","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 A study of arsenic in pond sediments on the Presque Isle peninsula, Erie, PA, was conducted in 2000 and 2001 by Murnoch (2002) due to concerns expressed by citizens and various local officials. Samples of pond and lagoon sediments were collected at thirteen primary sites and additional reference sites for analysis of arsenic content during the fall, 2000, and again in spring, 2001. The probable effect concentration (PEC) for arsenic of 33.0 mg/kg-DW, an indication of the concentration above which adverse impacts on benthic organisms are expected to occur, was exceeded in the surface sediments at all 13 primary sites during fall sampling and in all but one site during spring sampling, with concentrations as high as 393 mg/kg-DW measured. For deeper sediments, the PEC was exceeded in the fall at nine sites and in the spring at six sites. Surface sediments contained more arsenic than did deeper sediments. These differences were more pronounced in the spring samples than in the fall samples. There was a general trend, with numerous exceptions, for sites closer to Gull Point (the geologically ‘new’ end of the peninsula) to have lower arsenic levels. While the source of the arsenic in the sediments of Presque Isle is unknown, these high levels are likely due to natural processes that, over time, have resulted in an enrichment of arsenic in surface sediments. A possible mechanism for this enrichment is proposed. This study has not attempted to document the risk to the ecosystem associated with elevated arsenic concentrations, but it is reasonable to speculate that there could be an adverse impact on some organisms.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0016
R. Stern, Gregory D. Turner, G. Hertel
A field study was conducted in 2007 and 2008 to assess the population, distribution, size, and health status of white oak (Quercus alba L.) trees found in a forest at the Gordon Natural Area preserve in Chester County, Pennsylvania. A sweep survey was used to locate each oak, and then geographic coordinates, diameter at breast height (DBH), and crown vigor, were determined for each tree. Twenty-three trees were encountered in all, indicating a low density of < one tree per hectare, which was much lower than that of other co-occurring late successional species. Trees exhibited both clumped and linear distributions, likely resulting from acorn caching and past use of the species as a border around now reforested farmland. Trees were spread across most DBH size classes with a mean DBH = 57.4 cm. Most trees were relatively large and none occurred below 25 cm. Most trees were also healthy, though some were unhealthy. Overall, results suggest that white oak is an uncommon but widely dispersed species at the preserve, with a relatively healthy, but aging, population. Given these results, more studies of the species at the preserve are warranted, including new and periodic assessments of its recruitment status and canopy tree health, to better manage and ensure that white oak continues to have a presence in this forest and the region.
{"title":"The Status of White Oak (Quercus alba) Trees at the Gordon Natural Area, Chester County, Pennsylvania","authors":"R. Stern, Gregory D. Turner, G. Hertel","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0016","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 A field study was conducted in 2007 and 2008 to assess the population, distribution, size, and health status of white oak (Quercus alba L.) trees found in a forest at the Gordon Natural Area preserve in Chester County, Pennsylvania. A sweep survey was used to locate each oak, and then geographic coordinates, diameter at breast height (DBH), and crown vigor, were determined for each tree. Twenty-three trees were encountered in all, indicating a low density of < one tree per hectare, which was much lower than that of other co-occurring late successional species. Trees exhibited both clumped and linear distributions, likely resulting from acorn caching and past use of the species as a border around now reforested farmland. Trees were spread across most DBH size classes with a mean DBH = 57.4 cm. Most trees were relatively large and none occurred below 25 cm. Most trees were also healthy, though some were unhealthy. Overall, results suggest that white oak is an uncommon but widely dispersed species at the preserve, with a relatively healthy, but aging, population. Given these results, more studies of the species at the preserve are warranted, including new and periodic assessments of its recruitment status and canopy tree health, to better manage and ensure that white oak continues to have a presence in this forest and the region.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0050
James C. Kauffman, Kimberly K. Harle, Matthew J. Swallow, J. Huffman
Three adult giant kidney worms (Dioctophyma renale) were found in the right kidneys of two male long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata) from Pike County, Pennsylvania. At necropsy, both weasels showed no clinical signs of decreased fitness. The right kidneys of both animals were enlarged and contained nematodes. This is the first described infection of long-tailed weasels by giant kidney worms in Pennsylvania. A more thorough investigation of long-tailed weasels across their range is recommended to determine prevalence rates of this parasite and potential impacts on weasel populations.
{"title":"Occurrence of the Giant Kidney Worm (Dioctophyma renale) in Long-Tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) from Pennsylvania","authors":"James C. Kauffman, Kimberly K. Harle, Matthew J. Swallow, J. Huffman","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0050","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Three adult giant kidney worms (Dioctophyma renale) were found in the right kidneys of two male long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata) from Pike County, Pennsylvania. At necropsy, both weasels showed no clinical signs of decreased fitness. The right kidneys of both animals were enlarged and contained nematodes. This is the first described infection of long-tailed weasels by giant kidney worms in Pennsylvania. A more thorough investigation of long-tailed weasels across their range is recommended to determine prevalence rates of this parasite and potential impacts on weasel populations.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0020
Lana R. Kindlin, C. M. Kindlin, R. Stewart
The increased spread of Echinococcus multilocularis into novel areas has created a need for early detection and monitoring of parasites within wild canid populations. In order to survey the prevalence and relative intensity of helminthes in wild canid populations, coyote, red fox and gray fox scat samples were collected during February and March 2012 at Letterkenny Army Depot, in south central Pennsylvania, USA. Using standard fecal flotation, 13 different parasites were identified in 75 fecal samples, of which 40% of coyote (n=35) and 72.5% (n=40) of fox samples contained evidence of at least one parasite. This represents 8 new species now known to parasitize coyotes and foxes in Letterkenny Army Depot when compared with previous published research. Eleven of the 13 parasites identified were shared between coyotes and foxes. Fox samples had a higher prevalence of parasitism than did coyote samples; however, the relative intensity of parasitism was greater in coyote samples. While parasitism with Taenia sp., Capillaria sp., Isospora sp., Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Strongyloides stercoralis and Uncinaria stenocephala is likely detrimental, we did not identify Echinococcus sp. or other zoonotic parasites. We recommend continued surveillance for parasites found within wild canids through standard fecal flotation techniques as well as molecular and specific DNA analyses.
{"title":"Survey of the Prevalence and Diversity of Intestinal Parasites Through Scat Analysis of Canids at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County, Pennsylvania","authors":"Lana R. Kindlin, C. M. Kindlin, R. Stewart","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0020","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The increased spread of Echinococcus multilocularis into novel areas has created a need for early detection and monitoring of parasites within wild canid populations. In order to survey the prevalence and relative intensity of helminthes in wild canid populations, coyote, red fox and gray fox scat samples were collected during February and March 2012 at Letterkenny Army Depot, in south central Pennsylvania, USA. Using standard fecal flotation, 13 different parasites were identified in 75 fecal samples, of which 40% of coyote (n=35) and 72.5% (n=40) of fox samples contained evidence of at least one parasite. This represents 8 new species now known to parasitize coyotes and foxes in Letterkenny Army Depot when compared with previous published research. Eleven of the 13 parasites identified were shared between coyotes and foxes. Fox samples had a higher prevalence of parasitism than did coyote samples; however, the relative intensity of parasitism was greater in coyote samples. While parasitism with Taenia sp., Capillaria sp., Isospora sp., Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Strongyloides stercoralis and Uncinaria stenocephala is likely detrimental, we did not identify Echinococcus sp. or other zoonotic parasites. We recommend continued surveillance for parasites found within wild canids through standard fecal flotation techniques as well as molecular and specific DNA analyses.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"78 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0042
Michael Henry, F. Brenner, Abigail M. Jones, Rachel Brockhage, David J. Smeltzer
Four commonly used greenhouse chemicals: 10:10:10 Peters fertilizer, two fungicides and an insecticide/nematicide, were analyzed to determine their effects on water quality and productivity. Each of these chemicals in varying concentrations were added to three microcosms and assessed for their impact on pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonia, phosphorous, algae and chlorophyll a. In general, the addition these of chemicals did not affect pH, TDS, specific conductance or the dissolved oxygen. In all microcosms, the addition of fertilizer increased phosphorus, nitrate-N, and ammonia-N concentrations which in turn increased the size of algae communities and chlorophyll-a concentrations. There was a significant correlation between the size of the algae communities and chlorophyll a concentrations in all microcosms. The effect of fungicides and insecticides/nematicides varied among the different chemical concentrations, but in general, there was a reduction in nutrient concentrations with increasing concentrations of the chemicals. But when these chemicals were combined with fertilizer, nutrient concentrations, algae communities and chlorophyll-a exhibited similar increases as the microcosms receiving fertilizer alone. Based on the results of this study, a hydroponic system was designed to reduce the influx of nutrients into receiving fresh water systems.
{"title":"Impact of Chemical Fertilizer and Pesticides on Aquatic Microcosms","authors":"Michael Henry, F. Brenner, Abigail M. Jones, Rachel Brockhage, David J. Smeltzer","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0042","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Four commonly used greenhouse chemicals: 10:10:10 Peters fertilizer, two fungicides and an insecticide/nematicide, were analyzed to determine their effects on water quality and productivity. Each of these chemicals in varying concentrations were added to three microcosms and assessed for their impact on pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonia, phosphorous, algae and chlorophyll a. In general, the addition these of chemicals did not affect pH, TDS, specific conductance or the dissolved oxygen. In all microcosms, the addition of fertilizer increased phosphorus, nitrate-N, and ammonia-N concentrations which in turn increased the size of algae communities and chlorophyll-a concentrations. There was a significant correlation between the size of the algae communities and chlorophyll a concentrations in all microcosms. The effect of fungicides and insecticides/nematicides varied among the different chemical concentrations, but in general, there was a reduction in nutrient concentrations with increasing concentrations of the chemicals. But when these chemicals were combined with fertilizer, nutrient concentrations, algae communities and chlorophyll-a exhibited similar increases as the microcosms receiving fertilizer alone. Based on the results of this study, a hydroponic system was designed to reduce the influx of nutrients into receiving fresh water systems.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"496 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0027
A. Lachhab, Matthew Stoker
A newly built shopping center called Monroe Marketplace Plaza, located in Hummels Wharf, Pennsylvania, raised concern among local residents after they heard about the high rate of two pumping wells placed in the vicinity of their homes. The study herein was conducted by monitoring 4 domestic wells from March 2008 through January 2010, theoretically by using Neuman and Witherspoon equation, and lastly by groundwater modeling. The results showed that both Neuman and Witherspoon equation and groundwater modeling results are in agreement with the observed data when a hydraulic conductivity of 9.26x10−7 ft/sec (2.78x10−7 m/sec) was used. The results indicate that the initial drawdown of 19 ft (6 m) observed during the monitoring period in well 4 was caused by a nearby well that was pumping at high rate. The location of both pumping wells has arrested the cone of depression to the center of the plaza without major effect on the well 1, 2, and 3. The groundwater level gradually increased due to high specific yield of the aquifer and has since readjusted to new hydrological condition, fluctuating only to recharge effects. Overall, all 3 methods approximate similar results or complement each other and for a practical approach makes it highly unlikely that the New Marketplace's water consumption will affect residential water supply.
{"title":"Analysis of Ground Water Drawdowns using Field Monitoring, Computer Modeling and Theoretical Techniques at Monroe Marketplace, Hummels Wharf, PA","authors":"A. Lachhab, Matthew Stoker","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0027","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 A newly built shopping center called Monroe Marketplace Plaza, located in Hummels Wharf, Pennsylvania, raised concern among local residents after they heard about the high rate of two pumping wells placed in the vicinity of their homes. The study herein was conducted by monitoring 4 domestic wells from March 2008 through January 2010, theoretically by using Neuman and Witherspoon equation, and lastly by groundwater modeling. The results showed that both Neuman and Witherspoon equation and groundwater modeling results are in agreement with the observed data when a hydraulic conductivity of 9.26x10−7 ft/sec (2.78x10−7 m/sec) was used. The results indicate that the initial drawdown of 19 ft (6 m) observed during the monitoring period in well 4 was caused by a nearby well that was pumping at high rate. The location of both pumping wells has arrested the cone of depression to the center of the plaza without major effect on the well 1, 2, and 3. The groundwater level gradually increased due to high specific yield of the aquifer and has since readjusted to new hydrological condition, fluctuating only to recharge effects. Overall, all 3 methods approximate similar results or complement each other and for a practical approach makes it highly unlikely that the New Marketplace's water consumption will affect residential water supply.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0010
E. P. Levri, Carol Opiela, Rachel H. Bilka
The New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) is a world wide invasive species with established invasive populations in Australia, Europe, Japan, and North America. In the Laurentian Great Lakes, the snail has been found in each major water body except for Lakes Huron and St. Clair. Here we report data from samples taken from 78 sites in Lake St. Clair, the Mackinaw Straits, and two locations in western Lake Huron (Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay) from time periods ranging from 1997 to 2009. Potamopyrgus was not found in the samples taken from any of the sites. Thus, there is no evidence from this study that the New Zealand mud snail has established populations in Lakes Huron and St. Clair.
{"title":"The Invasive New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) Not Detected in Western Lakes Huron and St. Clair","authors":"E. P. Levri, Carol Opiela, Rachel H. Bilka","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0010","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) is a world wide invasive species with established invasive populations in Australia, Europe, Japan, and North America. In the Laurentian Great Lakes, the snail has been found in each major water body except for Lakes Huron and St. Clair. Here we report data from samples taken from 78 sites in Lake St. Clair, the Mackinaw Straits, and two locations in western Lake Huron (Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay) from time periods ranging from 1997 to 2009. Potamopyrgus was not found in the samples taken from any of the sites. Thus, there is no evidence from this study that the New Zealand mud snail has established populations in Lakes Huron and St. Clair.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70852991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0034
Whitney Honey, Tracey Yenilaitus, Jeanne Kagle
The Upper Tioga Watershed (UTW) in northern Pennsylvania is exposed to acid mine drainage (AMD), resulting in decreased population sizes and diversity of macrobiota. Few studies thus far, however, have assessed the impact of AMD on the microbial communities in streams receiving AMD. Using taxonomic (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP)) and metabolic (Biolog EcoPlates) analyses, bacterial biodiversity and community structure in AMD-impacted and non-impacted sites of the UTW were compared. The results indicate that bacterial communities in sediments of streams receiving AMD differ from those at a non-impacted site and are less diverse. Analysis of T-RFLP patterns and metabolic patterns from Biolog EcoPlates revealed two main clusters of community similarity among the sites. The pattern suggests that the bacterial communities may be more resistant to negative effects of AMD than macroscopic organisms. One AMD-impacted site is dominated by one taxonomic group, putatively identified as Beijerinckiaceae.
{"title":"Analysis of the Impact of Acid Mine Drainage on Bacterial Populations in the Upper Tioga Watershed","authors":"Whitney Honey, Tracey Yenilaitus, Jeanne Kagle","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0034","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The Upper Tioga Watershed (UTW) in northern Pennsylvania is exposed to acid mine drainage (AMD), resulting in decreased population sizes and diversity of macrobiota. Few studies thus far, however, have assessed the impact of AMD on the microbial communities in streams receiving AMD. Using taxonomic (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP)) and metabolic (Biolog EcoPlates) analyses, bacterial biodiversity and community structure in AMD-impacted and non-impacted sites of the UTW were compared. The results indicate that bacterial communities in sediments of streams receiving AMD differ from those at a non-impacted site and are less diverse. Analysis of T-RFLP patterns and metabolic patterns from Biolog EcoPlates revealed two main clusters of community similarity among the sites. The pattern suggests that the bacterial communities may be more resistant to negative effects of AMD than macroscopic organisms. One AMD-impacted site is dominated by one taxonomic group, putatively identified as Beijerinckiaceae.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2013-06-01DOI: 10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0003
Joseph W. Shane
In this essay, I assert that academic scientists are ideally suited to address frequent and often contentious interactions between scientific and religious perspectives that occur on our campuses and well as among our colleagues and within our communities. I first define and provide specific examples of four historical approaches that characterize relationships between science and religion: (1) the Warfare or Conflict thesis, (2) the Independence approach, (3) the Harmony thesis, and (4) the Complexity model. Given that discussions about science and religion are often manifested in ongoing controversies surrounding biological evolution, I then summarize the origins of anti-evolution movements in the United States via the rise and persistence of Christian Fundamentalism. The essay concludes by comparing the religious beliefs of academic scientists to the general public and offering practical suggestions for serving as “boundary pioneers” between science and religion.
{"title":"Becoming “Boundary Pioneers”: Roles for Academic Science Departments in Understanding and Addressing Interactions between Science and Religion","authors":"Joseph W. Shane","doi":"10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.87.1.0003","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 In this essay, I assert that academic scientists are ideally suited to address frequent and often contentious interactions between scientific and religious perspectives that occur on our campuses and well as among our colleagues and within our communities. I first define and provide specific examples of four historical approaches that characterize relationships between science and religion: (1) the Warfare or Conflict thesis, (2) the Independence approach, (3) the Harmony thesis, and (4) the Complexity model. Given that discussions about science and religion are often manifested in ongoing controversies surrounding biological evolution, I then summarize the origins of anti-evolution movements in the United States via the rise and persistence of Christian Fundamentalism. The essay concludes by comparing the religious beliefs of academic scientists to the general public and offering practical suggestions for serving as “boundary pioneers” between science and religion.","PeriodicalId":85037,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science","volume":"307 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70853286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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