Effects of Suspended Solids on Selected Estuarine Plankton.
Abstract
A three-year laboratory study identified biological components of selected populations of estuarine organisms which were most sensitive to the effects of particle size and concentration of (a) suspended mineral solids similar in size to sediments likely to be found in, or added to, estuarine systems in concentrations typically found during flooding, dredging, and disposal of dredged material, and (b) natural sediments in identical experiments. Carbon assimilation by four species of phytoplankton was significantly reduced by the light attenuating properties of fine silicon dioxide suspensions. Ingestion of radioactively tagged food cells by two species of calanoid copepods was significantly reduced during exposure to suspensions of Fuller's earth, fine silicon dioxide, and natural Patuxent River silt. This report provides base-line data for preproject decisionmaking based on concentration effects of different suspended sediments on selected typical estuarine plankton.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA022653
Entities
People
- D. A. Neumann
- J. A. Sherk Jr.
- J. M. O'connor
Organizations
- University of Maryland