ResearchTopic: Watershed & Water Quality

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 […]

Investigating the Role of Contaminants and Parasite Prevalence in the Observed Mortality of Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River Basin

The causes of the decline of smallmouth bass populations observed in some Pennsylvania rivers are unclear. However, it is hypothesized that declines are related to environmental stressors, including pesticides and endocrine-disrupting substances and disease. Thus, additional work is needed to understand the role that contaminants and disease (specifically parasite infection) may be playing in disease […]

Deciphering the Role of the Largemouth Bass Virus (LMBV) in Causing the Observed Mortalities in Juvenile Smallmouth Bass Micropterus Dolomieu in the Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania

Since 2005, mortality episodes of young-of-year (YOY) Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu (SMB) were consistently reported from a number of river systems in Pennsylvania, such as the Susquehanna, Juniata, and Allegheny rivers. These mortality events were more persistent and severe in the Susquehanna and Juniata River systems, occurring annually to varying degrees, than in the Allegheny […]

Quantifying Seasonal Movement Dynamics and Thermal Habitat Use of Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River Basin: Implications for Fish Disease and Fisheries Management

Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) are both a socieconomically prized sportfish as well an apex predator. In the Susquehanna River basin, smallmouth bass populations declined in the 1990s through the early 2000’s and although populations appear to be relatively stable in recent years, there are still concerns over what caused the initial decline. In addition, there […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

Occurrence of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in Stream (Raw) and Drinking-Water (Finished) Samples in the Susquehanna and Delaware Watersheds 2007–2009 Compared to 2016 and in the Lake Erie Watershed in 2016

This study investigated whether or not concentrations of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) have changed in raw samples near drinking-water intakes in the Susquehanna and Delaware Watersheds in the last 10 years. The study also determined whether concentrations of PPCPs in raw water samples near drinking-water intakes and in treated (finished) waters in the […]

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Municipal Water Supplies from Lake and Riverine Sources

Humans use a large variety of chemicals in their everyday lives, including prescription drugs, overthe-counter medications, and personal care products. The chemicals that are in these products enter the wastewater treatment systems during the manufacturing process and when consumers use them. These chemicals, collectively referred to as PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products), have been […]

Evaluating the Sources and Fate of Triclosan in a Watershed Traversing a Rural to Urban Gradient in Southeastern Pennsylvania

The environmental fate of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) in regional waterways is of growing concern. One such product, an antimicrobial agent known as triclosan (TCS), has been the focus of recent investigation. Once released into waterways, TCS can photochemically degrade to form even more toxic contaminants like dioxins. The focus of this research […]

ResearchTopic: Watershed & Water Quality

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