Development, Validation, and Evaluation of a Continuous, Real-time, Bivalve Biomonitoring System Metadata

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Title

  • Main Title Development, Validation, and Evaluation of a Continuous, Real-time, Bivalve Biomonitoring System

Creator

  • Author: Allen, H. Joel
    Creator Type: Personal

Contributor

  • Chair: Waller, William T.
    Contributor Type: Personal
    Contributor Info: Major Professor
  • Committee Member: Dickson, Kenneth L.
    Contributor Type: Personal
  • Committee Member: Kennedy, James H.
    Contributor Type: Personal
  • Committee Member: Acevedo, Miguel F.
    Contributor Type: Personal
  • Committee Member: Ammann, Larry P.
    Contributor Type: Personal

Publisher

  • Name: University of North Texas
    Place of Publication: Denton, Texas

Date

  • Creation: 2002-12

Language

  • English

Description

  • Content Description: A biological monitoring tool to assess water quality using bivalve gape behavior was developed and demonstrated. The purpose of this work was to develop methodologies for screening water quality appropriate to the goals of the watershed paradigm. A model of bivalve gape behavior based on prediction of behavior using autoregressive techniques was the foundation of the bivalve biomonitoring system. Current technology was used in developing the system to provide bivalve gape state data in a continuous real-time manner. A laboratory version of the system, including data collection and analysis hardware and software, was developed for use as a toxicological assay for determination of effective concentrations of toxicant(s) or other types of stress on bivalve gape behavior. Corbicula fluminea was monitored and challenged with copper, zinc, and chlorpyrifos using the system. Effective concentrations of 176±23µg/L copper, 768±412µg/L zinc, and 68µg/L chlorpyrifos were observed using a natural water with high dissolved organic carbon concentrations. A rugged field version of the bivalve biomonitoring system was developed and deployed in two locations. The field systems were fitted with a photovoltaic array, a single board computer, and a CDPD telemetry modem for robust remote operation. Data were telemetered at a time relevant rate of once every ten minutes. One unit was deployed in Lake Lewisville, Denton County, TX in February 2000. Data were telemetered and archived at a 92% success rate. Bivalve gape data demonstrated significant behavioral deviations on average 5 times per month. A second unit was deployed in Pecan Creek, Denton, TX in June 2001. Data from this site were telemetered and archived at a 96% success rate. Over the months of June-August 2001, 16 significant behavioral deviations were observed, 63% of which were correlated with changes in physical/chemical parameters. This work demonstrated the relative sensitivity of bivalve gape as a toxicological endpoint and the feasibility of its use in a continuous, real-time, bivalve biomonitoring system. Technical aspects of collecting, telemetering, and analyzing this type of data in a time-relevant manner were developed resulting in a system appropriate for use as a means of data collection within the watershed paradigm.

Subject

  • Library of Congress Subject Headings: Water quality biological assessment.
  • Library of Congress Subject Headings: Watersheds.
  • Library of Congress Subject Headings: Corbicula fluminea.
  • Keyword: Biomonitor
  • Keyword: watershed
  • Keyword: Corbicula fluminea
  • Keyword: bioassay
  • Keyword: water quality

Collection

  • Name: UNT Theses and Dissertations
    Code: UNTETD

Institution

  • Name: UNT Libraries
    Code: UNT

Rights

  • Rights Access: unt
  • Rights License: copyright
  • Rights Holder: Allen, H. Joel
  • Rights Statement: Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Resource Type

  • Thesis or Dissertation

Format

  • Text

Identifier

  • OCLC: 52031851
  • UNT Catalog No.: b2494615
  • Archival Resource Key: ark:/67531/metadc3295

Degree

  • Degree Name: Doctor of Philosophy
  • Degree Level: Doctoral
  • Degree Discipline: Environmental Science
  • Academic Department: Department of Biological Sciences
  • Degree Grantor: University of North Texas

Note

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