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.
opérations de dragage utilisent des méthodes mécaniques pour enlever les sédiments du fond des ports et des chenaux de navigation. Lors de la dépose, une partie du sédiment perturbé est suspendu dans la colonne d'eau, ce qui pourrait en faire une source de stress physique pour les espèces aquatiques. En plus d'être suspendue, le sédiment peut être transporté loin de la drague par les conditions ambiantes avant décantation de la colonne d'eau. La combinaison de ces deux mécanismes signifie qu'un organisme aquatique se produisant à proximité d'une drague d'exploitation peut être exposé à des sédiments en suspension et souffrent d'effets indésirables. Pour répondre à ces préoccupations, les fenêtres environnementales (restrictions de dragage saisonniers) sont couramment utilisés en tant que pratique de gestion pour réduire ou éliminer le risque d'effets potentiellement nocifs des sédiments en suspension provenant des activités de dragage sur les ressources aquatiques 1,2.
fenêtres environnementales sont le plus souvent mis en place pour protéger en voie de disparition, menacées ouespèces commercialement intéressantes telles que le doré jaune (Sander vitreus) et l' huître (Crassostrea virginica) 3. La justification d' appui pour imposer des fenêtres environnementales se concentre souvent sur la façon dont les activités de dragage peuvent potentiellement perturber physiquement (par exemple, les sédiments en suspension) la capacité d'un animal à remplir une partie spécifique de son histoire de vie. Les étapes de la vie souvent citées sont les œufs et les larves pour garder les voies de migration ouverte pour les espèces anadromes 3. Cependant, il y a des informations limitées concernant spécifiques aux espèces effets biologiques pertinents pour suspension de 4,5 sédiments disponibles pour informer en utilisant les fenêtres environnementales comme un outil de gestion des risques.
Pour ces raisons, le Fuit a été conçu, construit et utilisé pour simuler la suspension des sédiments, et de déterminer ses effets sur les premiers stades de vie des organismes aquatiques. Fuit études utilisent des particules de sédiments à grains fins ( à savoir, principalement des limons,argiles et sables fins) qui sont les plus susceptibles de rester en suspension et migrent le plus éloigné de la source. Le Fuit est capable d'œufs de poissons d'essai et les larves, mais il peut également être équipé pour accueillir d'autres organismes aquatiques, ce qui en fait une capacité unique. Les données de la réponse biologique résultant peuvent ensuite être utilisés pour évaluer les effets des sédiments en suspension. Les procédures suivantes donnent un aperçu de la façon dont la technologie peut être construite et exploitée pour obtenir des concentrations répétables de sédiments en suspension et données sur les effets à l'aide de diverses espèces aquatiques.
La technologie Fuit améliore les méthodes existantes 4,9 en maintenant et en contrôlant les sédiments en suspension sur une large gamme de temps d'exposition et les concentrations de sédiments en suspension en utilisant un système contrôlé par ordinateur automatisé. La technologie est si flexible qu'il peut être utilisé pour évaluer les effets des sédiments en suspension dans de multiples espèces aquatiques et les stades de développement de différentes tailles à partir d'oeufs aux…
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 |