Research

Using Fishes to Assess the Ecological Integrity of Presque Isle Bay

Since the delisting of the Presque Isle Bay (PIB) Area of Concern in 2013, the use of hepatocellular and orocutaneous tumors in Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) as indicators of ecosystem health has been questioned. Specifically, the following questions have been raised: 1) are the occurrence of liver and external tumors in Brown Bullhead indicative of […]

Barrier Assessment of Lake Erie Tributaries of Pennsylvania

A comprehensive fish barrier assessment is critical to the prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species throughout the Lake Erie watershed. Decisions to remove barriers may expand the habitat of recreational and native fishes, however they may also expand the range of aquatic invasive species. The objective of this project was to conduct a […]

Characterization of Nearshore Bathymetry and Longshore Current Velocity in Relation to Estimating the Potential for Nearshore Transport of Sediment and Bacteria Loads From Walnut Creek to Presque Isle State Park Beaches, Erie, Pennsylvania

Bacteria-driven restrictions and (or) advisories on swimming at beaches in Presque Isle State Park (PISP), Erie, Pennsylvania, can occur during the summer months. One of the suspected sources of bacteria is sediment. A terrestrial sediment source to the west of PISP is Walnut Creek, which discharges to Lake Erie about 8.5 kilometers southwest of PISP […]

Didymosphenia Geminata in Pennsylvania: an Investigation of Current and Historic Distribution, Habitat Suitability, and Nutritional Content

Didymosphenia geminata (Lyngbye) M.Schmidt (herein referred to as didymo) is a benthic freshwater diatom capable of producing nuisance blooms that impact the recreational, ecological, and aesthetic value of freshwater ecosystems. Recently, didymo has expanded its range and ecological tolerances leading to massive blooms in areas where it was previously undocumented or had existed in low […]

Monitoring a Freshwater Tidal Wetland in the Delaware Estuary: Flooding Influence on Accretion and a Potential for Priority Planning Under Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise

Tidal freshwater wetlands provide numerous important ecological services including carbon and nutrient sequestration, sediment trapping, and natural flood control. Urban and agricultural development, nutrient loading, and sea level rise continue to threaten these ecologically and economically valuable ecosystems. Rates of sea level rise are accelerating with global climate change, which has implications for wetland loss. […]

Assessment of the Spatial Distribution of Brownfield Sites in Chester, PA at Risk of Flooding and Release of Pollutants to the Delaware River

The city of Chester is located within two watersheds, Chester Creek and Ridley Creek. Both of these watersheds discharge surface water to the Delaware River within the city municipal boundary. The close proximity of the city to the Delaware River coupled with its land surface elevation and the two watershed discharges make the city susceptible […]

Assessing the Economic Impact and Significance of Recreational Angling on Lake Erie Waters: Final Report

The overarching goal of the study was to assess the economic impact and significance of the recreational angling industry within the Pennsylvania section of Lake Erie. For a guiding framework, this study utilized an exploratory mixed methodology with three connected phases which resulted in 1,189 completed online and mail-back questionnaires (Phase I), 516 completed on-site […]

Assessing Background Rates of Intersex, Expression of Vitellogenin, Teste Transcriptome, and Population Genetics of Micropterus Dolomieu

Intersex, particularly testicular oocytes, and vitellogenin (Vtg) expression in male fish are being used more frequently as an indication of exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), including organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and surfactants. However, the use of intersex and Vtg expression as indicators of endocrine disruption have recently come under review, and the […]

Living Shorelines Assessment for Community Resiliency in Coastal Pennsylvania

As sea levels rise, the people along Pennsylvania’s eastern coastlines face many challenges, including the loss of tidal wetlands and the associated increase in coastal flooding (Nicholls 2004). Tidal wetlands remain a valuable buffer for rising seas levels and vital habitat for fish and wildlife (Beck et al. 2001; Knight 1997). Unfortunately, the Delaware Estuary […]

Diel Signals in Stream Discharge – Insights Into Watershed Behavior and Potential Impacts of Climate Change

This study examined the characteristics of daily water level fluctuations produced by evapotranspiration measured in riparian areas and within a stream (Buck Hill Creek). The goal was to understand how diel signal characteristics Buck Hill Creek relate to watershed characteristics and predict how the diel signal characteristics might be affected by changing climate. Water levels […]

Research

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