Research

Identification of Parasites and Bacteria and Their Role in Infections and Mortalities of Smallmouth Bass Micropterus Dolomieu in the Susquehanna River Basin and Neighboring Drainages

The objectives of this study were to determine the distribution of the myxozoan parasite Myxobolus inornatus identified in young-of-year (YOY) smallmouth bass, determine the role that this parasite is playing in infections/mortalities, identify the intermediate host(s) that may be mediating transmission of this parasite, and determine the distribution of intermediate host species to identify potential for threat […]

Nutrient Thresholds for Didymosphenia Geminata Blooms and Stalk Formation in the Delaware River

Observational surveys and experimental rock transplants were conducted within the Delaware River to document the phenology of Didymosphenia geminata blooms and to evaluate the effects of different nutrient regimes on stalk formation and bloom development. The observational surveys began in October 2012 and continued through May 2013. They showed no D.geminata colonies in the Lower Delaware River prior to […]

How Temperature and Phosphorus Loading Influence E. Coli Growth on Cladophora in Lake Erie Beach Waters of Presque Isle State Park

The 13 public Lake Erie beaches of Presque Isle State Park have been particularly affected by water pollution. In 1991, Presque Isle Bay was designated as the 43rd Great Lakes Area of Concern by the U.S. Department of State. While the bay has now been listed as an Area of Recovery, bacterial contamination of the […]

Developing Quantitative Models for the Removal of Quaternary Ammonium Ions as Representative Cationic Emerging Contaminants by Cation Exchange Resins

Understanding the sorption mechanism of organic contaminants on cation exchange resins (CXRs) will enable application of these resins for the removal of cationic organic compounds from contaminated water. In this study, sorption of a diverse set of 12 organic cations and 8 neutral aromatic solutes on two polystyrene CXRs, MN500 and Amberlite 200, was examined. […]

Occurrence Survey for Emerging Contaminants of Concern in Pennsylvania Tributaries of the Delaware River

The goal of this research project was to increase our understanding of the occurrence of emerging contaminants of concern (ECCs) in surface waters by collecting and analyzing ambient water samples from a targeted area of the Delaware River Basin. Concentrations of ECCs are generally higher in urbanized and industrialized areas as was found in a […]

Innovative Tools for Groundwater Education in Pennsylvania

Over three-million rural residents of Pennsylvania rely on private wells and springs that utilize groundwater for drinking water and more than 50% fail at least one health based drinking water standard. Very few homeowners with contaminated water systems are familiar with the problem or have appropriate water treatment systems to provide safe drinking water. Real […]

Effects of Personal Care, Prescription, and Other Emerging Contaminants on Sentinel Species in Lake Erie Beach Waters of Presque Isle State Park

Chemicals used extensively and intensively in our technological society are currently predicted to have surpassed the 100,000 mark in numbers and depending on their properties, modes, and quantity of use, a large number of these chemicals can reach the environment and have unpredictable but potentially harmful environmental and health impacts. Accurate methods of monitoring the […]

Probabilistic Characterization of Stream Flows in Urbanizing Basins in Pennsylvania Under Climate Change Scenarios

Given the critical role of the streamflow regime for instream, riparian, and floodplain ecosystem sustainability, modeling the long-term effect of urbanization on streamflow is important to predict possible changes in stream ecosystems. Since flow duration curves are largely used to characterize the streamflow regime and define indices for stream ecosystem health, a stochastic model is […]

Establishing a Link Between Hydraulic Fracturing Activities and Stream Water Impacts in North-Central Pennsylvania

The impacts of hydraulic fracturing related natural gas extraction activities on water contamination are poorly understood. Furthermore, while the majority of preliminary studies have focused on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities to groundwater little data exists with regards to impacts on overall streamwater quality. This study used a multi‐faceted approach to determine whether there […]

Status of Exotic Round Goby and Tubenose Goby in Pennsylvania

The purposes of this study was to report on the status of the Round Goby, Neogobius melanostomu, in the Lake Erie watershed of Pennsylvania, to determine if there was a shift in diet of the native fishes when Round Goby were present in selected Pennsylvania tributaries of Lake Erie, and to compare the diet of the Tubenose […]

Research

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