ohio river research, education, & outreach at the thomas more … action teams... ·...
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Ohio River Research, Education, & Outreach at the
Thomas More College Biology Field Station
Chris Lorentz, Field Station Director
Emily Imhoff, Laboratory Manager
The Field Station used to serve as Lock and Dam 35 one of many wicket dams on the Ohio River.
The former Lockhouse has been converted to The Center for Ohio River Research & Education
The College acquired the property in 1967 and renovated the Lockhouse in 1997.
River Pump
Weather Station
Classrooms & Labs
Constructed Wetland
Outdoor Classroom
Nature Trail
Field Station’s Reach
Environmental & Ecological Research Facility
Education Resource for K-16 Students & Teachers
Community Outreach
Program Development
Education Research
Research
•10-15 Undergrad Students, summer positions are paid with free housing provided. •Graduate Students •Faculty •EPA Researchers
Education •New ES Major •Several new courses, including Marine Biology track •Teacher Training •Community Workshops
Outreach
•Grade School Field Trips •Summer STEM Camps •Summer Seminars •Paddlefest, River Sweeps, etc.
Primary research programs
Ohio River Bioassessment
N. KY. Stream Bioassessment
Aquaculture (fish and freshwater mussels)
Research Area: Ohio River Bioassessment
Since 1971, students have been sampling and monitoring the Ohio River near two coal-burning power plants operated by DUKE Energy.
Bioassessment of the Ohio River near Zimmer Power Plant Moscow, Ohio (RM444)
Study Area
Three components: •Biological •Physiochemical •Habitat
Fish Collection Methods
Gill Nets
Hoop Nets
Electrofishing
Summer 2014 conclusions Ohio River around Zimmer power plant meets water quality standards to support
aquatic life. ORFin range 53.7 – 58.2 (possible range 13 – 65)
The four study sites were typically comparable across all datasets: physiochemical, habitat, and biological
A few notable exceptions:
- Higher abundance of fish collected with gill nets and hoop nets at our downstream sites
- Higher abundance of fish collected upstream through electrofishing
- Significantly higher conductivity, possibly from plant effluent, and turbidity, likely due to high barge traffic, at downstream sites.
Fish BOL – DNA barcoding project
White Bass
Morone chrysops
Striped
Bass
Morone saxatillis
Research Area: N. KY Stream Assessments
TMC Environmental Academy with Sanitation District 1 and
Boone County Conservation District
Biological assessment – macroinvertebrate sampling Physiochemical sampling - field chemistry including DO, Conductivity, Temperature, pH, and Turbidity Habitat analysis including riparian zone and hydromodification assessments.
Research Area: Aquaculture & Toxicology
Fathead minnows are the “white mice” of aquatic studies. Aquaculture lab produce eggs, larvae and adults to be used in toxicity studies at the Station and at the USEPA.
Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnows)
10 10
10 10
10
10
10
10
10 10
10 10
Toxicity testing Annual test of Zimmer Power Station effluent Day-old minnow fry grown in: •Ohio River water (above Zimmer) •Zimmer effluent •Field Station well water (control) Typically no difference is seen in growth or survival among groups.
New! Freshwater mussel propagation •Part of a cooperative grant with KY Dept of Fish & Wildlife Resources, funded by US FWS •Aim: increase populations of mussel species of Greatest Conservation Need in an area including KY, OH, and WV •Our role: primarily growing out juvenile mussels, can also maintain adult broodstock.
Benefits of our setting •Access to Ohio River water via river pump allows for a flow-through system. • Staff on-site to monitor mussels and system daily. • Located near sites with good mussel beds (OH, Licking). • Educational opportunities for students of all ages and community members.
Juvenile set-up Adult set-up
Current status •Mussels arrived in earlier this week. •Start with adults of common species while ensuring that system is working properly. •Adults and older juveniles collected during surveys in wake of diesel fuel spill at Beckjord Power Plant just downstream of Field Station.
The mussels arrive – adults and juveniles
Fish Host Experiments
Mussel Host Fish Research
STEM Outreach—K-8 Field Trips
“Science on the River” Each year, over 2500 school children from 30 schools visit the Station for
Hands-on science activities offered by our Education, Biology and ES Majors.
STEM Outreach- High School Summer Camps
Annual week-long summer camp – high school students stay on TMC campus and participate in hands-on lessons offered by our Education and Biology Majors.
High School STEM Campers 2013
New Phase
K-16 STEM Education Center
K-16 STEM Education Center
Community Outreach Summer seminar series
Citizen science workshops
Ohio River Sweeps
Paddlefest Kids’ Expo, Career Fairs, etc.
Government Agencies, Non-Profit Organizations and Business Partners
Thank you for your attention. Any questions?
ORFIn Metric Scores Metric Below
expectation
Meets expectation
Above expectation
Number of Native Species
1 3 5
Range <11 12-19 >19
Z1 = 20 5
Number of Sucker Species
1 3 5
Range <3 3-5 >5
Z1= 3 3
Percent of Nonative Individuals
1 3 5
Range >5% 3-5% 0%
Z1=0 5
Minimum 13
Maximum 65
Why FISH – BOL? a. Ambiguous morphology b. Early life stages (eggs, fry) c. Unrecognized species d. Environmental DNA (eDNA) e. Improved taxonomy