Date of Award
Spring 4-22-2022
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Department Chair or Program Director
Hayob, Jodie
First Advisor
Frankel, Tyler
Second Advisor
Kisila, Ben
Third Advisor
Giancarlo, Leanna
Major or Concentration
Environmental Science (Natural Science Concentration)
Abstract
Coal ash (CA) is an industrial waste, produced by coal-burning power stations, containing multiple trace metals that can leach into aquatic ecosystems. While numerous studies have examined the impacts of coal ash spills on aquatic vertebrates, little is known on the effects of CA leachates (CALs) on aquatic invertebrates. This study consisted of two components: trace metal analysis assessing the impacts of increasing coal ash concentration on trace metal leaching and a lab-based analysis examining the effects of synthetic coal ash leachates on the viability, development stage, hatching rate, bioaccumulation, and reproduction of Planorbella duryi. Higher trace metal concentrations were detected in the higher leachate treatments (10 g/L and 50 g/L). Accelerated development and rapid hatching rate were observed in egg clutches exposed to the 1 g/L treatment. Developmental delays and decreased hatching success were observed in the 25 g/L and 50 g/L treatments. Higher trace metals were detected in adults exposed to the 10 g/L and 50 g/L treatments. Adults exposed to the 50 g/L treatments laid fewer egg clutches with lower egg deposition compared to the lower treatments. This research aims to determine the potential sublethal impacts of treated coal ash waste on a non-model aquatic invertebrate.
Recommended Citation
Crowell, Catherine, "The Impacts of Coal Ash Concentration on Trace Contaminant Leaching and Toxicity of Coal Ash in Planorbella duryi" (2022). Student Research Submissions. 467.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/467