A robust and flexible flow-through exposure system designed to maintain sediment in suspension is presented. The system is used to investigate the effects of suspended sediment on various aquatic species and life stages in the laboratory.
This paper describes the Fish Larvae and Egg Exposure System (FLEES). The flow-through exposure system is used to investigate the effects of suspended sediment on various aquatic species and life stages in the laboratory by using pumps and automating delivery of sediment and water to simulate suspension of sediment. FLEES data are used to develop exposure-response curves between the effects on aquatic organisms and suspended sediment concentrations at the desired exposure duration. The effects data are used to evaluate management practices used to reduce the interactions between aquatic organisms and anthropogenic causes of suspended sediments. The FLEES is capable of generating total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations as low as 30 to as high as 800 mg/L, making this system an ideal choice for evaluating the effects of TSS resulting from many activities including simulating low ambient levels of TSS to evaluating sources of suspended sediments from dredging operations, vessel traffic, freshets, and storms.
Muddringsarbeten använda mekaniska metoder för att avlägsna bottensedimentet från hamnar och farleder. Under avlägsnande, är en del av den störda sediment suspenderades i vattenmassan, eventuellt göra detta till en källa till fysisk stress för vattenlevande arter. Förutom att vara upphängd, kan sedimentet transporteras bort från muddra av omgivningsförhållanden innan de flyttade ut ur vattnet. Kombinationen av dessa två mekanismer innebär att en vattenlevande organism som förekommer i närheten av en drift muddra kan utsättas för suspenderade sediment och drabbas av negativa effekter. För att hantera sådana problem, miljö fönster (säsongsbegränsningar muddring) används rutinmässigt som en förvaltningspraxis för att minska eller eliminera risken för potentiellt skadliga effekter av suspenderade sediment från muddringsarbeten på akvatiska resurser 1,2.
Miljö fönster oftast inrättats för att skydda utrotningshotade, hotade ellerkommersiellt värdefulla arter som gös (Sander vitreus) och östra ostron (Crassostrea virginica) 3. Den bärande skäl för att införa miljö fönster fokuserar ofta på hur muddra verksamhet kan potentiellt fysiskt störa (t.ex. suspenderat sediment) ett djurs förmåga att slutföra en viss del av sin livshistoria. De livsstadier som vanligen nämns är ägg och larver för att hålla vandringsvägar öppen för anadrom art 3. Men det finns begränsad information om artspecifika biologiska effekter av betydelse för suspenderat sediment 4,5 tillgängliga för att informera att använda miljö fönster som ett riskhanteringsverktyg.
Av dessa skäl var flyr utformas, konstrueras, och används för att simulera upphängning av sediment, och för att bestämma dess effekter på tidiga livsstadier av vattenlevande organismer. Flyr studier använder finkorniga sedimentpartiklar (dvs främst silt,leror, och fin sand) som är mest sannolikt att bli kvar i suspension och migrera längst bort från källan. Den flyr är i stånd att testa fiskägg och larver, men det kan också kompletteras för att tillgodose andra vattenlevande organismer, vilket gör det en unik möjlighet. De resulterande biologiska svarsdata kan sedan användas för att utvärdera effekterna av suspenderade sediment. Följande procedurer ger en översikt över hur tekniken kan byggas och drivas för att ge repeterbara suspenderade sedimentkoncentrationer och effektuppgifter med hjälp av olika vattenlevande arter.
Den flyr tekniken förbättras på befintliga metoder 4,9 genom att upprätthålla och styra suspenderade sediment över ett brett spektrum av exponeringstider och svävande sedimentkoncentrationer med hjälp av ett automatiserat, datorstyrt system. Tekniken är flexibel så att den kan användas för att utvärdera effekterna av suspenderade sediment till flera vattenlevande arter och livsstadier av varierande storlekar från ägg till vuxna beroende på art. I framtiden är det teknik som kan bedöma suspen…
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This research was funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dredging Operations and Environmental Research Program, Todd Bridges, Director. Permission was granted by the Chief of Engineers to publish this material.
Parts List for one FLEES Module, Water Bath, and Aquarium | |||
post, wood – used to build module (cut to 78 in) | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: 4 Size: 4 in x 4 in x 8 ft |
plywood, marine grade – fastened to wooden posts about 18 in off ground – for holding water bath (60 in x 42 in) | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: 1 Size: 3/4 in x 4 ft x 8 ft |
plywood – fastened on top of wooden posts – for holding pipes, solenoids and electrical (60 in x 42 in) | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: 1 Size: 1/4 in x 4 ft x 8 ft |
stud, wood – used to brace plywood and wooden posts (cut to fit) | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: 4 Size: 2 in x 4 in x 96 in |
tank, fiberglass – water bath with two drains: 1) to supply chiller; and 2) to drain water | Hydro Composites, LLC, Stockdale, TX, USA | FBT-226 | Quantity: 1 Size: 150-gal |
chiller, water with self contained pump – for water bath; chiller sits under module | Remcor Products Co., Glendale Heights, IL, USA | CFF-500 | Quantity: 1 Size: 1/2 hp |
tank, domed bottom – FLEES aquaria – sit inside water bath | United States Plastic Corp, Lima, OH, USA | 5197 | Quantity: 5 Size: 19 L |
tank, stand – acrylic stand, 12 in x 12 in x 6 in – to hold aquaria | custom built by ERDC shops | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: custom |
urethane, liquid- to seal carboy plug and prevent leaking | Forsch Polymer Corporation, Englewood, CO | 60A Liquid Urethane | Quantity: 5 Size: epoxy kit |
pump, magnetic drive – to suspend sediment in each aquarium | March Manufacturing Inc., Glenview, IL, USA | MDX-3-1/2 115 v | Quantity: 5 Size: 28 liter per min |
light, LED – installed over water bath | C2 Development, Inc., Ames, IA, USA | Hydra 26 | Quantity: 2 Size: based on area to light |
pipe, PVC schedule 40 – installed in drain of water bath to control water level | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: – Size: 1 in |
fittings, bulkhead – for aquaria/water bath connections to pumps, drains, water and slurry lines | Lifegard Aquatics, Cerritos, CA, USA | R270900 | Quantity: 20 Size: 1/2 in FPT x FPT |
fittings, quick-disconnect, male pipe threaded inserts – insert in tank bulkhead | Cole-Parmer, Vernon Hills, IL, USA | EW-31303-36 | Quantity: 10 Size: 1/2 in MPT |
fittings, quick-disconnect, valved hose barbs – connection between aquarium and insert in tank bulkhead | Cole-Parmer, Vernon Hills, IL, USA | EW-31303-11 | Quantity: 10 Size: 1/2 in |
fittings, black HDPE threaded elbow – for aquaria vinyl tube connections to slurry/water line and pump | United States Plastic Corp, Lima, OH, USA | 62043 | Quantity: 20 Size: 1/2 NPT x 1/2 in Hose ID |
fittings, black HDPE threaded adapter – for connections between pump and tank bulkhead | United States Plastic Corp, Lima, OH, USA | 62017 | Quantity: 10 Size: 1/2 NPT x 1/2 in Hose ID |
tube, vinyl – connect slurry/water line to aquaria and to connect pumps to aquaria | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: 25 ft Size: 1/2 in ID |
tube, vinyl – connect to aquaria drains inserts and water bath drain | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: 25 ft Size: 5/8 in ID |
clamp, hose, stainless steel – to clamp vinyl tube to hose barbs | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: 40 Size: #8 |
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Parts list for Slurry System | |||
chiller, water with self contained pump – sits off to side of slurry tank | Remcor Products Co., Glendale Heights, IL, USA | CFF-500 | Quantity: 1 Size: 1/2 hp |
125 gallon open top cone bottom tank w/Stand – 42 in x 35 in – contains the water and sediment to make slurry | United States Plastic Corp, Lima, OH, USA | 8586 | Quantity: 1 Size: 125 gal |
Cover for 125 gallon tank | United States Plastic Corp, Lima, OH, USA | 8935 | Quantity: 1 Size: 42 in x 35 in |
valve, PVC – connect tank drain to pump – isolate for maintenance | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 2 Size: 1-1/2 in |
pump, double diaphragm mounted on stand – used to recirculate slurry | Wilden-pumps.co.uk & Air Pumping Ltd., Essex, UK | P2/PPPP/WF/WF/PTV/400 | Quantity: 1 contact distributor |
sensor, optical backscatter – measure NTU in slurry tank | Campbell Scientific, Logan, UT, USA | OBS-3+ | Quantity: 1 Size: 0-1000 NTU |
pipe, PVC Schedule 40 – to recirculate slurry | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 20 ft Size: 1 in |
pipe, flexible PVC – fitted with union and used to connect to next module | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 10 ft Size: 1 in |
union, PVC Schedle 80 Socket – connect slurry line with next module | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 8 Size: 1/2 in |
solenoid, plastomatic (normally closed) – introduce slurry | Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ, USA | EASYMT4V12R24-PV | Quantity: 5 Size: 1/2 in NPT threaded, 24 VAC contact distributor |
fitting, PVC tee – connect slurry pipe with solenoid | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: 1 in x 1 in x 1 in slip x slip x FIPT |
fittings, 1 in PVC ball valve threaded – shut off for slurry delivery to solenoid/water lines | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 7 Size: 1/2 in |
fittings, 1 in PVC union threaded – connect slurry solenoid to shut off valve | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: 1/2 in |
tube, vinyl – connection between water solenoid and slurry solenoid | Local vendor | N/A | Quantity: 50 ft Size: 1/4" ID |
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Parts list for Water System | |||
chiller, water with self contained pump – sits off to side of reservoir | Remcor Products Co., Glendale Heights, IL, USA | CFF-500 | Quantity: 1 Size: 1/2 hp |
125 gallon open top cone bottom tank w/Stand – 42 in x 35 in – contains the water and sediment to make slurry | United States Plastic Corp, Lima, OH, USA | 8586 | Quantity: 1 Size: 125 gal |
Cover for 125 gallon tank | United States Plastic Corp, Lima, OH, USA | 8935 | Quantity: 1 Size: 42 in x 35 in |
valve, PVC – connect tank drain to water pump | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 2 Size: 1 in |
pump, magnetic drive, in-line use – used to recirculate water to aquaria and chiller | Little Giant, Fort Wayne, IN, USA | 3-MD-SC | Quantity: 1 Size: 1/12 hp |
solenoid, alco – introduce water | discontinued; ASCO, Florham Park, NJ,USA for similar | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: 24 v, 1/4 in NIPT |
fittings, black HDPE reducer connector – connect 1/4 in hose water line from solenoid to 1/2 in hose | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: 1/2 in hose ID x 1/4 in hose ID |
fittings, black HDPE tee – connect 1/2 in hose water line and slurry to aquaria | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: 1/2 in NPT x 1/2 in hose ID x 1/2 in hose ID |
fittings, street elbow | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: 1/2 in 90° MIPT x FIPT |
fittings, PVC threaded pipe nipples – connect union fittings with solenoids and other connections | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 12 Size: 1/2 in |
fittings, union threaded – connect slurry/water lines with next module | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 6 Size: 1 in PVC |
fittings, reducer bushing – connect to reducer tee in water line | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: 1/2 in male by 1/4 in female FIPT |
fittings, threaded pipe nipples – connection between bushing and water solenoid | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 5 Size: 4 in long x 1/4 in |
pipe, PVC – make connections between tank, pump and chiller | local plumbing vendor | N/A | Quantity: 5 ft Size: Schedule 40 |
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Parts list for Sensors, Data Acquisition Device, and Computer Software | |||
software, LabView | National Instruments, Austin, Texas, USA | LabView 2015 Base | Quantity: 1 Size: N/A |
SCXI-1001 12-Slot Chassis, U.S. 120 VAC | National Instruments, Austin, Texas, USA | 776571-01 | Quantity: 1 Size: N/A |
SCXI 1100 – 32-Channel, ±10 V Analog Input Module | National Instruments, Austin, Texas, USA | 776572-00 | Quantity: 1 Size: N/A |
SCXI 1303 – Terminal block designed for high-accuracy thermocouple measurements | National Instruments, Austin, Texas, USA | 777687-03 | Quantity: 2 Size: N/A |
SCXI 1102B – 32-Channel Thermocouple/Voltage Input Module | National Instruments, Austin, Texas, USA | 776572-02B | Quantity: 1 Size: N/A |
SCXI 1161 – General-Purpose Relay Module | National Instruments, Austin, Texas, USA | 776572-61 | Quantity: 6 Size: N/A |
SCXI 1300 – General-Purpose Voltage Module | National Instruments, Austin, Texas, USA | 777687-00 | Quantity: 1 Size: N/A |
PCMCIA Card DAQCARD-AI-16E-4 | National Instruments, Austin, Texas, USA | N/A – legacy | Quantity: 1 Size: N/A used cards available online |
sensor, optical backscatter – measure NTU in each aquarium | Campbell Scientific Inc., Logan, UT, USA | OBS-3+ | Quantity: 5 Size: 0-1000 NTU |