Title | Emergence growth and dispersal of Chironomidae in reclaimed wetlands in the Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta |
Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
Year of Publication | 2010 |
Authors | Kennedy, K., & Ciborowski J. |
Editors | Martel, L. M., Fournier G., Triffault-Bouchet D., Berryman D., Guay P. G. C., Campbell M., Lebeuf C., Couillard L., & Pellerin P. B. |
Date Published | 09/2009 |
Publication Language | eng |
Keywords | ecology, field, invertebrates, wetlands |
Abstract | Concerns over the environmental impacts of oil sands extraction in northeastern Alberta has increased as the industry continues to expand. This study examined if the emergence, growth, and dispersal of Chironomidae differ in reclaimed wetlands constructed with oil sands process materials (OSPM) when compared with growth in reference wetlands. Five floating 30 cm diameter halo traps were deployed in various wetlands for a 24 hour period. Exuviae trapped in the surface water film were then collected, identified, and counted. Chironomids grown in laboratories from egg masses collected from 2 OSPM-affected wetlands and 2 reference wetlands were paired according to geographic proximity under controlled conditions for 1 generation. Chironomid larval growth was quantified in situ in the wetlands by reciprocally transferring second instar, second generation culture larva. The dispersal of the larvae was quantified by tabulating the number of adults caught in sticky insect traps located along 3 radially-arranged transects in each wetland. A preliminary analysis has suggested that fewer chironomids emerged from the OSPM-affected wetlands. No differences in dispersal distance between the OSPM-affected and reference wetlands were observed. |
Notes | IN: Proceedings of the 36th Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop September 27-30, 2009. La Malbaie, Quebec. Martel L. M. Fournier G. Triffault-Bouchet D. Berryman I. Guay P.G.C. Campbell M. Lebeuf C. Couillard L. Parent J. Pellerin P. Benoit E. Lacroix and L.E. |
Locational Keywords | Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) |
Active Link | |
Group | OSEMB |
Citation Key | 52210 |