Search USGSSearch

Geology topics

Kevin J. Buhl

Publications and source records attributed to Kevin J. Buhl.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2014

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project scope of work is developed annually with collaborating research partners and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery Program–Integrated Science Program. The project research consists of several interdependent and complementary tasks that involve multiple disciplines. The project research tasks in the 2014 scope of work emphasized understanding of reproductive migrations and spawning of adult pallid sturgeon and hatch and drift of larvae. These tasks were addressed in three hydrologically and geomorphologically distinct parts of the Missouri River Basin: the Lower Missouri River downstream from Gavins Point Dam, the Upper Missouri River downstream from Fort Peck Dam and downstream reaches of the Milk River, and the Lower Yellowstone River. The project research is designed to inform management decisions related to channel re-engineering, flow modification, and pallid sturgeon population augmentation on the Missouri River and throughout the range of the species. Research and progress made through this project are reported to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annually. This annual report details the research effort and progress made by the Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project during 2014.

Missouri, Montana, Nebraska

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2013

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of pallid sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project scope of work is developed annually with collaborating research partners and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery—Integrated Science Program. The research consists of several interdependent and complementary tasks that engage multiple disciplines. The research tasks in the 2013 scope of work emphasized understanding reproductive migrations and spawning of adult pallid sturgeon, and hatch and drift of free embryos and larvae. These tasks were addressed in four study sections located in three hydrologically and geomorphologically distinct parts of the Missouri River Basin: the Upper Missouri River downstream from Fort Peck Dam, including downstream reaches of the Milk River, the Lower Yellowstone River, and the Lower Missouri River downstream from Gavins Point Dam. The research is designed to inform management decisions related to channel re-engineering, flow modification, and pallid sturgeon population augmentation on the Missouri River, and throughout the range of the species. Research and progress made through this project are reported to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annually. This annual report details the research effort and progress made by the Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project during 2013.

Missouri River Basin

Ammonia causes decreased brain monoamines in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Hyperammonemia, arising from variety of disorders, leads to severe neurological dysfunction. The mechanisms of ammonia toxicity in brain are not completely understood. This study investigated the effects of ammonia on monoaminergic systems in brains of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Fish serve as a good model system to investigate hyperammonemic effects on brain function since no liver manipulations are necessary to increase endogenous ammonia concentrations. Using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, monoamines and some associated metabolites were measured from whole brain homogenate. Adult males were exposed for 48 h to six different concentrations of ammonia (0.01–2.36 mg/l unionized) which bracketed the 96-h LC50 for this species. Ammonia concentration-dependent decreases were found for the catecholamines (norepinephrine and dopamine) and the indoleamine serotonin (5-HT). After an initial increase in the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan it too decreased with increasing ammonia concentrations. There were also significant increases in the 5-HIAA/5-HT and DOPAC/DA ratios, often used as measures of turnover. There were no changes in epinephrine (Epi) or monoamine catabolites (DOPAC, 5-HIAA) at any ammonia concentrations tested. Results suggest that ammonia causes decreased synthesis while also causing increased release and degradation. Increased release may underlie behavioral reactions to ammonia exposure in fish. This study adds weight to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that ammonia leads to dysfunctional monoaminergic systems in brain which may underlie neurological symptoms associated with human disorders such as hepatic encephalopathy.

Brain Research

Selenium impacts on razorback sucker, Colorado: Colorado River: III. Larvae

Razorback sucker ( Xyrauchen texanus ) larvae from adults exposed to selenium at three sites near Grand Junction, Colorado, for 9 months were used in a 30-day waterborne and dietary selenium study. Selenium concentrations in water averaged <1.6 μg/L from 24-Road, 0.9 μg/L from Horsethief, 5.5 μg/L from Adobe Creek, and 10.7 μg/L from the North Pond. Selenium in dietary items averaged 2.7 μg/g in brine shrimp, 5.6 μg/g in zooplankton from Horsethief east wetland, 20 μg/g in zooplankton from Adobe Creek, and 39 μg/g in zooplankton from North Pond. The lowest survival occurred in larvae fed zooplankton rather than brine shrimp. Survival of larvae at Adobe Creek and North Pond was lower in site water than in reference water. Survival of brood stock larvae was higher than Horsethief larvae even though they received the same water and dietary treatments. Arsenic concentrations in brine shrimp may have resulted in an antagonistic interaction with selenium and reduced adverse effects in larvae. Deformities in larvae from North Pond were similar to those reported for selenium-induced teratogenic deformities in other fish species. Selenium concentrations of ⩾4.6 μg/g in food resulted in rapid mortality of larvae from Horsethief, Adobe Creek, and North Pond, and suggested that selenium toxicity in the Colorado River could limit recovery of this endangered fish.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Impact of selenium and other trace elements on the endangered adult razorback sucker

A study was conducted with endangered the razorback sucker ( Xyrauchen texanus ) to determine if environmental exposure to selenium in flooded bottomland sites affected survival, growth, and egg-hatching success. Adults were stocked at three sites adjacent to the Colorado River near Grand Junction, Colorado, in July 1996: hatchery ponds at Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area (referred to here as Horsethief; the reference site), a diked tertiary channel at Adobe Creek, and North Pond at Walter Walker State Wildlife Area (WWSWA). Fish were collected in April 1997 and spawned. After two spawnings adults from the three sites were held at Horsethief for an 86-day selenium depuration period. Selenium concentrations at Horsethief were 1.4–3.0 μg/L in water, 0.8–0.9 μg/g in sediment, 4.5 μg/g in muscle plug, and 6.0 μg/g in eggs; at Adobe Creek, <0.7–4.5 μg/L in water, 1.2–2.5 μg/g in sediment, 16–20 μg/g in zooplankton, 9.6 μg/g in muscle plug, and 40 μg/g in eggs; and at North Pond, 3.2–17 μg/L in water, 16–94 μg/g in sediment, 32–48 μg/g in zooplankton, 14 μg/g in muscle plug, and 55 μg/g in eggs. During the depuration period, when adults from Adobe Creek and North Pond were held at Horsethief, the fish lost 7%–13% of their selenium burden in 59 days and 14%–21% in 86 days. Larvae from North Pond adults had the most deformities, followed by Adobe Creek adults, with the fewest deformities found in the Horsethief adults.

Colorado

Toxicity of selenium and other elements in food organisms to razorback sucker larvae

Elevated selenium concentrations documented in water, sediment, and biota in irrigation drain water studies by U.S. Department of the Interior agencies and academia have raised concerns that selenium may be adversely affecting endangered fish in the upper Colorado River basin. The objective of the study was to determine the effects on endangered razorback sucker ( Xyrauchen texanus ) larvae from exposure to selenium and other trace elements in water and zooplankton collected from sites adjacent to the Colorado River near Grand Junction, CO. A 30-day study was initiated with 5-day-old larvae exposed in a 4×4 factor experiment with four food and four water treatments, and the biological endpoints measured were survival, growth, development, and whole-body residues of selenium. Mean selenium concentration in reference water (24-Road) was <0.7 μg/l, in reference food (brine shrimp) was 3.2 μg/g, at Horsethief was 1.6 μg/l in water and 6.0 μg/g in zooplankton, at Adobe Creek was 3.4 μg/l in water and 32 μg/g in zooplankton, and at Walter Walker was 13 μg/l in water and 52 μg/g in zooplankton. Although there were differences in concentrations of inorganic elements in water and biota among the three sites, selenium was apparently the only element elevated to concentrations of concern. Effects on survival were more prominent from dietary exposure compared to waterborne exposure. Selenium concentrations of ≥4.6 μg/g in food organisms adversely affected the survival of razorback sucker larvae. The onset of mortality in larvae exposed to food and water from Walter Walker seemed delayed compared to mortality in larvae exposed to food and water from Horsethief, which has been observed in two other studies. Elevated arsenic in one food source seemed to interact with selenium to reduce the toxic effects of selenium.

Colorado

Acute toxicity of fire-retardant and foam-suppressant chemicals to yalella azteca (Saussure)

Acute toxicity tests were conducted with Hyalella azteca Saussure (an amphipod) exposed in soft and hard waters to three fire retardants (Fire-Trol GTS-R, Fire-Trol LCG-R, and Phos-Chek D75-F) and two foam suppressants (Phos-Chek WD-881 and Silv-Ex). The chemicals were slightly to moderately toxic to amphipods. The most toxic chemical to amphipods in soft and hard water was Phos-Chek WD-881 (96-h mean lethal concentration [LC50] equal to 10 mg/L and 22 mg/L, respectively), and the least toxic chemical to amphipods in soft water was Fire-Trol GTS-R (96-h LC50 equal to 127 mg/L) and in hard water was Fire-Trol LCG-R (96-h LC50 equal to 535 mg/L). Concentrations of ammonia in tests with the three fire retardants and both water types were greater than reported LC50 values and probably were the major toxic component. Estimated un-ionized ammonia concentrations near the LC50 were frequently less than the reported LC50 ammonia concentrations for amphipods. The three fire retardants were more toxic in soft water than in hard water even though ammonia and un-ionized ammonia concentrations were higher in hard water tests than in soft water tests. The accidental entry of fire-fighting chemicals into aquatic environments could adversely affect aquatic invertebrates, thereby disrupting ecosystem function.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Hazard assessment of inorganics, individually and in mixtures, to two endangered fish in the San Juan River, New Mexico

Acute toxicity tests were conducted for 96 h with larval Colorado squawfish ( Ptychocheilus lucius ) and razorback sucker ( Xyrauchen texanus ) in a reconstituted water quality simulating the San Juan River near Shiprock, New Mexico, to determine biological effect concentrations. Tests were conducted with arsenate, copper, selenate, selenite, zinc, and five mixtures of seven to nine inorganics simulating environmental mixtures reported for sites along the San Juan River (Ojo Amarillo Canyon, Gallegos Canyon, Hogback East Drain, Mancos River, and McElmo Creek). Razorback suckers were significantly more sensitive to arsenate, selenate, selenite, Hogback East Drain mixture, and Ojo Amarillo Canyon mixture than were Colorado squawfish. For both species, the Gallegos Canyon mixture had synergistic toxicity, the Mancos River and McElmo Creek mixtures had additive toxicity, and the Ojo Amarillo Canyon mixture had antagonistic toxicity. The Hogback East Drain mixture had additive toxicity to Colorado squawfish, but synergistic toxicity to razorback suckers. The major toxic component in the five mixtures was copper. Comparison of biological effect concentrations (i.e., 96-h LC 50 ) with environmental water concentrations from the San Juan River resulted in a ratio of <100, which revealed a high potential hazard for copper and all five environmental mixtures. The high hazard ratios suggest inorganic contaminants could adversely affect larval Colorado squawfish and razorback suckers in the San Juan River at sites receiving elevated inorganics such as from nonpoint discharges and irrigation return flows.

New Mexico

Relative sensitivity of three endangered fishes, Colorado squawfish, bonytail, and razorback sucker, to selected metal pollutants

The acute toxicity of four metal pollutants to larval and juvenile stages of endangered Colorado squawfish ( Ptychocheilus lucius ), bonytail ( Gila elegans ), and razorback sucker ( Xyrauchen texanus ) were determined in a water quality representative of that in the Green River, Utah. The rank order of toxicity (96-hr LC 50 ) of the metals to all species and life stages from most toxic to least toxic was mercury (57–168 μg/liter) > cadmium (78–168 μg/liter) > hexavalent chromium (32,000–123,000 μg/liter) > lead (>170,000 μg/liter). In tests with lead, a precipitate formed in all test solutions and no mortalities occurred in these treatments. The larvae of each species were as sensitive or more sensitive than the juveniles to cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and mercury. Overall, the three species exhibited similar sensitivities to cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and mercury. Comparison of test results for the juveniles with toxicity values reported for other freshwater fishes tested in different water qualities indicates that the endangered fishes are more sensitive to cadmium than other cyprinids and centrarchids and less sensitive than salmonids, whereas their sensitivity to hexavalent chromium and mercury is similar to that of other cyprinids, centrarchids, and salmonids.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Acute toxicity of three fire-retardant and two fire-suppressant foam formulations to the early life stages of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss )

Laboratory studies were conducted with five early life stages of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss , to determine the acute toxicities of five fire-fighting chemical formulations in standardized soft and hard water. Eyed egg, embryo–larvae, swim-up fry, and 60- and 90-d posthatch juveniles were exposed to three fire retardants (Fire-Trol LCG-R, Fire-Trol GTS-R, and Phos-Chek D75-F) and two fire-suppressant foams (Phos-Chek WD-881 and Silv-Ex). Swim-up fry were generally the most sensitive life stage, whereas the eyed-egg was the least sensitive. Toxicity of fire-fighting formulations was greater in hard water than in soft water for all life stages tested with Fire-Trol GTS-R and Silv-Ex and for 90-d-old juveniles tested with Fire-Trol LCG-R. The fire-suppressant foams were more toxic than the fire retardants. The 96-h median lethal concentrations (LC50s) were ranked from the most toxic to the least toxic formulation as follows (ranges are the lowest and highest 96-h LC50 calculated for each formulation): Phos-Chek WD-881 (11–44 mg/L), Silv-Ex (11–78 mg/L), Phos-Chek D75-F (218–>3,600 mg/L), Fire-Trol GTS-R (207–>6,000 mg/L), and Fire-Trol LCG-R (872–>10,000 mg/L). Toxicity values suggest that accidental entry of fire-fighting chemicals into aquatic environments could adversely affect fish populations.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Acute toxicity of firefighting chemical formulations to four life stages of fathead minnow

Laboratory studies were conducted with four early life stages of fathead minnow,Pimephales promelas,to determine the acute toxicity of five firefighting chemical formulations in standardized soft and hard water. Egg, fry, 30-day posthatch, and 60-day posthatch life stages were tested with three fire retardants (Fire-Trol GTS-R, Fire-Trol LCG-R, and Phos-Chek D75-F) and two fire-suppressant foams (Phos-Chek WD-881 and Ansul Silv-Ex). Fry were generally the most sensitive life stage tested, whereas the eggs were the least sensitive life stage. Formulation toxicity was greater in hard water than in soft water for all life stages tested. Fire-suppressant foams were more toxic than the fire retardants. The 96-hr LC50s derived for fathead minnows were rank ordered from the most toxic to the least toxic formulation as follows: Phos-Chek WD-881 (13a??32 mg/liter) > Silv-Ex (19a??32 mg/liter) > Fire-Trol GTS-R (135a??787 mg/liter) > Phos-Chek D75-F (168a??2250 mg/liter) > Fire-Trol LCG-R (519a??6705 mg/liter) (ranges are the lowest and highest 96-hr LC50for each formulation). (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Toxicity of inorganic contaminants, individually and in environmental mixtures, to three endangered fishes (Colorado squawfish, bonytail, and razorback sucker)

Two life stages of three federally-listed endangered fishes, Colorado squawfish ( Ptychocheilus lucius ), bonytail ( Gila elegans ), and razorback sucker ( Xyrauchen texanus ) were exposed to copper, selenate, selenite, and zinc individually, and to mixtures of nine inorganics in a reconstituted water that simulated the water quality of the middle Green River, Utah. The mixtures simulated environmental ratios of arsenate, boron, copper, molybdenum, selenate, selenite, uranium, vanadium, and zinc in two tributaries, Ashley Creek and Stewart Lake outlet, of the middle Green River. The rank order of toxicity of the individual inorganics, from most to least toxic, was: copper > zinc > selenite > selenate. Colorado squawfish larvae were more sensitive to all four inorganics and the two mixtures than the juveniles, whereas there was no consistent response between the two life stages for the other two species. There was no consistent difference in sensitivity to the inorganics among the three endangered fishes. Both mixtures exhibited either additive or greater than additive toxicity to these fishes. The primary toxic components in the mixtures, based on toxic units, were copper and zinc. Acute toxicity values were compared to measured environmental concentrations in the two tributaries to derive margins of uncertainty. Margins of uncertainty were low for both mixtures (9–22 for the Stewart Lake outlet mixture, and 12–32 for the Ashley Creek mixture), indicating that mixtures of inorganics derived from irrigation activities may pose a hazard to endangered fishes in the Green River.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico

Toxicity of fire retardant chemicals to aquatic organisms: Progress report

Fire retardants and suppressants used extensively in North America are often applied in environmentally sensitive areas that may contain endangered, threatened, or economically important plant and animal species. We conducted laboratory acute toxicity tests in both hard and soft waters with five commonly used fire control chemicals (Fire Trol LCG-R, Fire-Trol GTS-R, Phos-Chek D-75-F, Phos-Chek WD-881, and Silv-Ex). Organisms used in the tests included two fish (rainbow trout and fathead minnow), two aquatic invertebrates ( Daphnia magna and Hyalella azteca ), and a green algae ( Selenastrum capricornutum ). In general, the green algae was substantially more sensitive to the three non-foam fire chemicals than the animals, the Daphnia were the most sensitive test organism in exposures with foams. The two foams (Silv-Ex and Phos-Chek WD-881) had similar toxicity and were more toxic than the three non-foams. Water quality did not seem to modify the toxicity of the five fire chemicals in a consistent manner.

Conference Paper

Acute toxicity of the herbicide bromoxynil to Daphnia magna

The acute toxicities of technical-grade bromoxynil octanoate (BO) and two commercial formulations, Buctril® and Bronate®, to < 24-h-old neonate Daphnia magna (Straus) were determined in soft, hard, and oligosaline water. In addition, effects of life stage, feeding, aging the herbicide, and exposure duration on BO toxicity to daphnids were investigated. Regardless of formulation, life stage, and water quality, BO was found to be extremely to highly toxic to daphnids in standard tests; 48-h EC50 values ranged from 41 to 161 m̈g/L. Bromoxynil octanoate was the most toxic to neonates in soft water and the least toxic in hard water. The acute toxicities of the three bromoxynil herbicides to a given age group of daphnids were similar within the same water type. Overall, neonates and 7-d-old adults were more sensitive than 14- or 15-d-old adults to each herbicide. Feeding daphnids during the toxicity test significantly decreased BO toxicity compared to not feeding them. Aging BO (as Buctril) in hard water decreased its toxicity, and the rate of deactivation was rapid, with an estimated half-life of biological activity of 13 h. Daphnids immobilized by exposures to toxic BO concentrations for ≤ 6 h recovered their mobility, whereas exposures of 18 and 24 h to BO produced toxic effects in daphnids similar to those exposed for 48 h. These results indicated that standard continuous exposure tests may not adequately predict the acute toxicity of BO to freshwater animals in the field.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Chronic toxicity of the bromoxynil formulation Buctril® to Daphnia magna exposed continuously and intermittently

Two chronic toxicity tests were conducted in which Daphnia magna were either continuously or intermittently exposed to bromoxynil octanoate (BO; as Buctril ® ) for 28 d. In the intermittent exposure test, daphnids were exposed to daily pulses of BO with 24-h mean concentrations equal to those in the continuous exposure test, and the peak concentrations were three times the 24-h mean values. After 28 d of continuous exposure to BO, survival of daphnids was reduced at 80 μg/L, whereas mean number of young per adult, intrinsic rate of natural increase, and mean weight of adults were all reduced at ⩾40 μg/L. Intermittent exposures to daily pulses of BO for 28 d caused reduced survival of daphnids at 24-h mean concentrations ⩾40 μg/L and reduced mean number of young per adult, intrinsic rate of natural increase, and mean weight of adults at 24-h mean concentrations ⩾20 μg/L. The estimated geometric mean-maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations of BO based on 24-h mean nominal values were 28 μg/L for continuous exposures and 14 μg/L for intermittent exposures. These results demonstrated that continuous-exposure studies may not be adequate in assessing herbicide toxicity to aquatic biota when concentrations fluctuate temporally.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico

Toxicity of organic selenium in the diet to chinook salmon

The toxicity of two organoselenium diets was evaluated in 90- to 120-d partial life cycle tests with two life stages of chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Walbaum). One of the diets contained fish meal made from high-selenium mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis Baird and Girard) collected from the selenium-laden San Luis Drain, California (here termed SLD diet) and the other contained meal made from low-selenium mosquitofish (collected from a reference site) fortified with selenomethionine. A 90-d study was conducted with swim-up larvae in a water-simulating dilution of San Luis Drain water in a standardized fresh water; and a 120-d study was conducted with fingerlings 70-mm long in a water of similar quality but prepared with a standardized brackish water. After 90 d of exposure in the freshwater study, survival was reduced in fish fed ≥9.6 μg Se/g of either diet, and growth was reduced in fish fed ≥5.3 μg Se/g of SLD diet or ≥18.2 μg Se/g of selenomethionine diet. Reduced fish growth, whole-body concentrations of selenium and survival were strongly correlated to concentrations of selenium in both diets. After 120 d of exposure in the brackish-water study, survival was unaffected but growth was reduced in fish fed ≥18.2 μg Se/g of SLD diet or 35.4 μg Se/g of selenomethionine diet. After 120 d of dietary exposure, survival during a 10-d seawater challenge test was reduced in fish fed 35.4 μg Se/g of either diet. In this second dietary study, concentration—response relations were observed in both dietary treatments between the dietary concentrations of selenium and all three characteristics — fish growth, whole-body concentrations of selenium and survival in seawater.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Comparative toxicity of inorganic contaminants released by placer mining to early life stages of salmonids

The acute toxicities of four trace inorganics associated with placer mining were determined, individually and in environmentally relevant mixtures, to early life stages of Arctic grayling ( Thymallus arcticus ) from Alaska and Montana, coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kitsutch ) from Alaska and Washington, and rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) from Montana. The descending rank order of toxicity to all species and life stages was copper > zinc > lead > arsenic. For each of the three species, sensitivity to the inorganics was greater in juveniles than in alvenins or in swim-up fry. Arctic grayling from Alaska were more sensitive than the other species tested, including Arctic grayling from Montana. For Arctic grayling, sensitivity to all four inorganics was significantly greater in swim-up fry from Alaska than in alevins from Montana, and sensitivity to arsenic and copper was significantly greater in juveniles from Alaska than in juveniles from Montana. In tests with environmentally relevant mixtures (based on ratios of concentrations measured in streams with placer mining) of these four inorganics, copper was identified as the major toxic component because it accounted for ⩾97% of the summed toxic units of the mixture, and an equitoxic mixture of these inorganics showed less-than-additive toxicity. Total and total recoverable copper concentrations reported in five Alaskan streams with active placer mines were higher than the acutely toxic concentrations, either individually or in mixtures, that the authors found to be acutely toxic to Arctic grayling and coho salmon from Alaska. However, caution should be used when comparing our results obtained in “clear” water to field situations, because speciation and toxicity of these inorganics may be altered in the presence of sediments suspended by placer mining activities.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety