Project Director

Schorr, Mark

Department Examiner

Gaudin, Tim; Van Horn, Gene; Brown, Pat; Bryant, Mark

Department

Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

In Appalachia's coal mining regions, acid mine drainage (AMD) has contributed to the widespread degradation of stream ecosystems. Salamanders are common inhabitants of healthy headwater streams and because of their permeable skins are excellent indicators of ecosystem intergrity. Hence, we investigated the potential effects of AMD on the species richness and relative abundance of aquatic salamanders in selected stream reaches (sites) of the North Chickamauga Creek (NCC) system, Tennessee. Specimens were collected by kick-net sampling with a 500um mesh dip net and/or electroshocking at four AMD-impacted sites (pH< 5.6) and two reference sites pH> 6.2), May-July 1996. Species richness was similarly low at reference sites, 2 -3 species, and AMD-impacted sites I - 2 species. No salamanders were observed at sites with pH values < 4 and aluminium concentrations > 2500 ug/L. Dusky salamander Desmognathus fuscus (present at all sites and toal salamander ( all species) abundances were greater (P< 0.05) at reference sites versus AMO-impacted sites, regardless of the sampling method. Findings from this ongoing study underscore the negative effects of coal mining on stream-dwelling salamanders and provide baseline data for AMO-mitigation projects.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the Tennessee Aquarium, Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for funding this research project. I am very greateful to my project director, Dr. Mark Schorr for his help and support, and to Kristie Jenkins and Tom Tarpley for their help in data collection. I would also like to thank Rob Motisse, Chris Coco, and Dave Collins from the Tennessee Aquarium for their help in collection and identification of salamanders.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

4-1997

Subject

Acid mine drainage--Tennessee; Acid pollution of rivers, lakes, etc.; Stream ecology; Northern dusky salamander--Counting

Discipline

Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment

Document Type

Theses

Extent

ix, 67 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Call Number

LB2369.5 .C652 1997

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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