PTS: 3210APN.9.1 Title: Evaluation of Rio Grande Water-Quality Conditions to Endangered Species (01-R2-09) Leaders: * Buhl, Kevin J., kevin_buhl@usgs.gov, 605-665-9217, FAX 605-665-9335, 31247 436th Ave., Yankton, SD 57078-6364 * Buitink, Lori D., lbuitink@usgs.gov, 573-876-1892, FAX 573-876-1896, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO 65201 * Cleveland, Laverne , lcleveland@usgs.gov, 573-876-1874, FAX 573-876-1896, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO 65201 * Hamilton, Steven J., steve_hamilton@usgs.gov, 605-665-9217, FAX 605-665-9335, RR 1, Box 295, Yankton, SD 57078-9214 Accomplishments: FY01:
1. Techniques for hatching and rearing silvery minnow in the
laboratory were developed.
2. Two 90-day exposure toxicity studies were successfully
conducted with Rio Grande silvery minnow.
3. Chemical analysis of trace elements in exposure water,
diet, and whole-body tissues of the fish has just been
completed.
4. Biological and chemical data are currently being
statistically analyzed.
FY02:
1. Two 28-day on-site exposure studies with Rio Grande
silvery minnow larvae were successfully conducted.
2. Bids for the chemical analysis of trace elements in
exposure water, diet, and whole-body tissues of the fish
are being solicited.
3. Statistical analysis of biological and water quality
data have been initiated. Communication Plan: FY01 & FY02:
Publications (anticipated):
1. Two final reports submitted to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field
Office.
2. Two manuscripts for submission to a peer review
scientific journal.
3. Two USGS Fact Sheets.
4. After the final reports are released for public domain
and journal manuscripts have been accepted and are
considered to be ¿In Press,¿ metadata will be created
by personal at the Columbia Environmental Research
Center, Columbia, MO.
Presentations (anticipated):
1. 24th and 25th annual meeting of the Society of
Environmental Toxicology (SETAC)-North America.
2. 11th and 12th annual meeting of the Midwest Chapter of
SETAC.
3. Two meetings of the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Recovery
Program. Highlights and Key Findings: FY01:
1. These studies are believed to be the first chronic
toxicity tests conducted with the silvery minnow.
2. Preliminary results indicate that the mixture of
chemicals (aluminum, ammonia, arsenic, copper, and
nitrate) was more toxic to silvery minnow than ammonia
tested alone.
3. Long-term exposures to sublethal ammonia concentrations
did not seem to affect the sensitivity of silvery
minnow to acutely lethal ammonia concentrations.
FY02:
1. Preliminary results indicate that effluents from the
two largest wastewater treatment plants in the middle
Rio Grande basin did not adversely affect survival and
growth of young silvery minnow.
2. Ammonia seemed to be more toxic to young silvery minnow
in reconstituted water and effluent from Rio Rancho
Wastewater Treatment Plant #2 compared to that in river
water and effluent from the City of Albuquerque Water
Reclamation Plant. Objectives: FY01: To determine the chronic toxicity to Rio Grande silvery minnow larvae of ammonia tested individually and in a mixture with aluminum, arsenic, copper, and nitrate combined at environmentally realistic ratios representative of those in the middle Rio Grande.
FY02: To evaluate the effects of long-term exposures to effluents and receiving waters in the middle Rio Grande on survival and growth of Rio Grande silvery minnow larvae. Larvae will be used in these studies because they are usually among the most sensitive life stage to waterborne contaminants and thus the life stage at most risk from degraded water quality conditions in the middle Rio Grande.
FY03 & FY04: The research direction has not been finalized, as it is depended on the results of the water-quality assessment study being conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The research may involve on-site toxicity studies of storm water runoff, in-situ exposures of Rio Grande silvery minnow at selected sites in the middle Rio Grande, and laboratory toxicity studies to assess the sensitivity of different life stages of silvery minnow to selected chemicals, environmentally realistic water quality conditions, whole sediment and pore water from the middle Rio Grande basin, and food quality. Statement of Problem: The Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) was federally listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1994. Currently, the silvery minnow occupies about 5% of its historic range and is only found in the mainstream of middle Rio Grande. The decline of the silvery minnow has been attributed to a number of factors, which may include degraded water quality in the Rio Grande. Concern has been raised that anthropogenic activities in the middle Rio Grande basin are adversely affecting water quality and creating unfavorable habitat conditions for the remaining populations of silvery minnow. To date, little is known about the water quality requirements of the silvery minnow. It is important to determine the impacts of degraded water quality on different life stages of the silvery minnow for effective management of existing populations and for assessing reestablishment sites. 2003 Statement of Work: need to add 2004 Statement of Work: To be added
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