The Use of Field and Mesocosm Experiments to Quantify Effects of Physical and Chemical Stressors in Mining-Contaminated Streams.

ABSTRACT: Identifying causal relationships between acid mine drainage (AMD) and ecological responses in the field is challenging. In addition to the direct toxicological effects of elevated metals and reduced pH, mining activities influence aquatic organisms indirectly through physical alterations of habitat. The primary goal of this research was to quantify the relative importance of physical (metal-oxide deposition) and chemical (elevated metal concentrations) stressors on benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Mesocosm experiments conducted with natural assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates established concentration-response relationships between metals and community structure. Field experiments quantified effects of metal-oxide contaminated substrate and showed significant differences in sen

SUBMITTER: Cadmus P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5744682 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature