James Kunz
James is a Fish Biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Science and Products
Bringing Back Mussels: CERC's Restoration Efforts in the Clinton Watershed
CERC scientists plan to reintroduce mussels in an area where species have diminished.
Linking Mussel Habitat Conditions to Restoration Outcomes and Ecosystem Services
Supported by: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Program, Ecosystems Mission Area
New Technology to Support Culturing of Freshwater Mussels for Research and Restoration
Freshwater mussels are one of the most critically imperiled groups of organisms worldwide. Encouraging mussel reproduction in a controlled setting has become an area of interest due to their widespread population declines and regional extinctions (Williams et al., 1993; Lydeard et al., 2004; Strayer et al., 2004; Haag 2012; Lopes-Lima et al., 2017). With constantly evolving techniques, rearing...
Science Partnership between USGS and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to Support Conservation of Freshwater Mussels
Western Pearlshell ( Margaritifera falcata ) is a native mussel species of conservation concern in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. This species is of cultural importance to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The current project is a collaboration between the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), the CTUIR, and USFWS to better understand...
An Evaluation the Chronic Toxicity of Metals in Water and Sediment to the Unionid Mussel, Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), in Exposures Representing Conditions in the Tri-States Mining District
The Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) is a large (about 500 sq. mi.) historical lead and zinc mining area that includes portions of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The TSMD yielded about 460 million tons of ore between 1885 and 1970, resulting in contamination of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and soils in the Spring River and Neosho River basins by lead, zinc, and other heavy metals.
An assessment of Deep Fork River Effluent Toxicity to the Unionid Mussel Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea)
Nearly 70% of the 300 mussel species in North America are endangered, threatened, of special concern, or extinct. Environmental contaminants have been identified as a contributing factor to the decline of mussel populations.
Chemical and Biological Data from a Study on Evaluation of Survival and Growth of Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in Short-Term Chronic Toxicity Tests with Nickel and Ammonia
Short-term 7-day ammonia and nickel toxicity tests were conducted with juvenile Fatmucket. This data release reports individual biological, chemical, and water quality measurements in each toxicity test.
Chemical and Biological Data from a Study on Evaluation of Chronic Effects of Potassium Chloride and Nickel on Survival, Growth, and Reproduction of a Unionid Mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea)
We conducted multiple toxicity tests to (1) evaluate the survival and growth of juvenile mussels (Fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) in a standard 4-week and a longer-term 12-week exposures following a method refined from the standard method using two common reference toxicants (potassium chloride [KCl] and nickel [Ni]); (2) evaluate reproductive endpoints from reproductive KCl and Ni toxicity test
Survival and growth of the freshwater mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea during a 28-day chronic zinc exposure and subsequent grow-out period
This dataset contains the results of a laboratory chronic bioassay with 6-week-old juvenile mussels (Fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) in a 28-day zinc exposure (120 and 240 micrograms zinc per liter) with endpoints of survival and growth (biomass and length) following standard ASTM methods. Surviving mussels were transferred from the control and treatment groups into a culture pond and their surv
Chemical and biological data from a study on sensitivity of a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) to a permitted effluent and elevated potassium
The data release includes data from four studies: (1) toxicity of a permitted effluent, which entered the Deep Fork River (DFR), Oklahoma, USA, to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) and to 2 standard test species (cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia; and fathead minnow Pimephales promelas) in short-term 7-d effluent tests; (2) relative sensitivities of the 3 species to potassium (K), an elevated m
Chemical and biological data from a study on method development for a short term 7 day sodium chloride and mock effluent toxicity tests with unionid mussels
The data consists of the responses (survival, growth, and/or reproduction) of test organisms were determined in six concentrations of toxicants in 7-day toxicity tests or in four different feeding rates in 7-day feeding experiments. Specifically we evaluated the sensitivity of 2 mussel species (Villosa constricta and Lampsilis siliquoidea) and P. promelas and C. dubia using effluents in 7-d exposu
Chemical and biological data from acute and chronic nickel and zinc exposure bioassays to two sensitive freshwater benthic invertebrates
The responses (survival, growth, and/or reproduction) of test organisms in six concentrations of toxicants in acute and chronic tests. Chemical and water quality parameters were measured for quality assurance and quality control purposes.
Survival and growth of juvenile freshwater mussels in a flow-through auto-feeding system
Survival and growth of four species of juvenile mussels in a pulsed flow-through auto-feeding beaker system.
Physical, Chemical, and Bioassay Data from the Study on Effects of Elevated Major Ions in Surface Water Contaminated by a Produced Water from Oil Production
This dataset characterizes sensitivity of fathead minnow and a unionid mussel to elevated major ions in produced water from oil and gas extraction process.
Evaluating chronic toxicity of sodium chloride or potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in water exposures using standard and refined toxicity test methods
Individual measurements of toxicity and water quality data used to calculate means reported in the associated publication. The objectives of the present study were to (1) refine test conditions for improving mussel survival and growth in a long-term feeding study, (2) evaluate chronic toxicity of NaCl and KCl to fatmucket under traditional test conditions outlined in ASTM (ASTM 2017) and the refin
Toxicity and chemistry data from an evaluation of metal-contaminated sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, 2013-2014
This resource contains chemistry and toxicity data from sediment toxicity tests conducted by the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center with 66 sediment samples collected from in and around the Upper Columbia River in the fall of 2013. Toxicity testing was conducted from fall 2013 through summer 2014 with the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, the midge Chironomus dilutus, and the mussel Lampsilis si
Sediment-quality and water-toxicity data from 10 sites on the Westside Creeks and San Antonio River, San Antonio, Texas, 2014
Sediment samples and samples for water-toxicity testing were collected during 2014 from several streams in San Antonio, Texas known locally as the Westside creeks (Alazn, Apache, Martnez, and San Pedro Creeks) and from the San Antonio River. Samples were collected once during base-flow and again after periods of storm-water runoff (post-storm conditions) to determine baseline sediment- and water-q
Filter Total Items: 41
Evaluation of short-term mussel test for estimating toxicity
Effect concentrations of ammonia, nickel, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride from short-term 7-day tests were compared to those from standard chronic 28-day toxicity tests with juvenile mussels (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) to evaluate the sensitivities of the 7-day tests. The effect concentrations for nickel (59 µg Ni/L), chloride (316–519 mg Cl/L, a range from multiple tests), and pota
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Chris D. Ivey, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens
A model for evaluation of sediment exposure and burial for freshwater mussels from heavy particle sedimentation
Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) are an ecologically important faunal group. Excessive sediments, both in suspended and deposited formats, are believed to have negative effects on survival of freshwater mussels. However, there is a lack of quantitative tools for assessing the impact of abrupt and excessive sedimentation on freshwater mussel habitats. This gap in knowledge poses challenges f
Authors
Binbin Wang, Brandon James Sansom, Wenyu Zhu, James L. Kunz, M. Christopher Barnhart, Henry Brown, Stephen E. McMurray, Andrew D Roberts, Christopher Shulse, Caleb Knerr, Kathleen Trauth, Jeffery Steevens, Baolin Deng
Impacts of acute and chronic suspended solids exposure on juvenile freshwater mussels
Construction activities may affect adjacent water systems by introducing increased levels of suspended solids into the water body and may subsequently affect the survival and growth of freshwater mussels. We tested three sediment types from sites in Missouri, including Spring River sediment (SRS), Osage River bank clay soil (ORC), and quarried limestone from Columbia (LMT). We prepared series of s
Authors
Wenyu Zhu, James L. Kunz, Eric Brunson, Christopher M. Barnhart, Henry Brown, Stephen E. McMurray, Andy Roberts, Christopher Shulse, Kathleen Trauth, Binbin Wang, Jeffery A. Steevens, Baolin Deng
Responses of juvenile mussels to metals in sediment and water of the Tri-State Mining District
The U.S. Geological Survey and collaborators from EcoAnalysts, Inc., completed field and laboratory studies during 2016–19 to evaluate the toxicity of metals to freshwater mussels in streams draining the Tri-State Mining District. This project consisted of (1) sampling and analysis of metals in water and sediment, (2) surveys of mussel assemblages at sites with suitable mussel habitat, (3) toxicit
Authors
John M. Besser, Chris D. Ivey, James L. Kunz, Nile E. Kemble, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens, Heidi Dunn, Ryan Foley
Survival and growth of juvenile mussels in an outdoor pond after 28-day laboratory exposure to aqueous zinc
The extent to which effects seen in chronic toxicity studies in the laboratory affect mussel fitness later in life is poorly known. We examined juvenile Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) survival and growth for 56 d following exposure to Zn in a laboratory bioassay. We conducted a 28-d chronic toxicity bioassay with 6-wk-old juvenile mussels exposed to a control and two Zn treatments (120 and 240
Authors
Jeffery A. Steevens, James L. Kunz, Ning Wang, Christopher M. Barnhart, Serena Ciparis
Laboratory-derived bioaccumulation kinetic parameters for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in freshwater mussels
Although freshwater mussels are imperiled and identified as key conservation priorities, limited bioaccumulation information is available on these organisms for contaminants of emerging concern. In the present study we investigated the bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the model freshwater pond mussel Sagittunio subrostratus because mussels provide important ecosyste
Authors
Jeffery Steevens, Rebecca A. Consbrock, Eric Brunson, James L. Kunz, Erin L. Pulster, Rebekah S. Burket, Kevin M. Stroski, Jaylen L. Sims, Matt F. Simcik, Bryan W. Brooks
Influences of water hardness on chronic toxicity of potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea)
Elevated concentrations of potassium (K) often occur in effluents from wastewater treatment plants, oil and gas production operations, mineral extraction processes, and from other anthropogenic sources. Previous studies have demonstrated that freshwater mussels are highly sensitive to K in acute and chronic exposures, and acute toxicity of K decreases with increasing water hardness. However, littl
Authors
Ning Wang, Rebecca A. Dorman, James L. Kunz, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens, Suzanne Dunn, David Martinez
Method development for a short-term 7-day toxicity test with unionid mussels
The US Environmental Protection Agency's short-term freshwater effluent test methods include a fish (Pimephales promelas), a cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia), and a green alga (Raphidocelis subcapitata). There is a recognized need for additional taxa to accompany the three standard species for effluent testing. An appropriate additional taxon is unionid mussels because mussels are widely distribute
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Douglas K. Hardesty, Jeffery Steevens, Teresa J. Norberg-King, Edward J. Hammer, Candice R. Bauer, Tom Augspurger, Suzanne Dunn, David Martinez, M. Christopher Barnhart, Jordan Murray, Marcus Bowersox, John F. Roberts, Robert B. Bringolf, Robert Ratajczak, Serena Ciparis, W. Gregory Cope, Sean B. Buczek, Daniel Farrar, Lauren May, Mailee Garton, Patricia L. Gillis, James Bennett, Joseph Salerno, Brian Hester, Richard Lockwood, Christopher Tarr, Dennis McIntyre, Jonathan Wardell
The sensitivity of a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) to a permitted effluent and elevated potassium in the effluent
Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the world and are among the most sensitive species to a variety of chemicals. However, little is known about the sensitivity of freshwater mussels to wastewater effluents. The objectives of the present study were to (1) assess the toxicity of a permitted effluent, which entered the Deep Fork River, Oklahoma (USA), to a unionid m
Authors
James L. Kunz, Ning Wang, David Martinez, Suzanne Dunn, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens
Evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity of nickel and zinc to 2 sensitive freshwater benthic invertebrates using refined testing methods
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is reviewing the protectiveness of the national ambient water quality criteria (WQC) for nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) and compiling toxicity databases to update the WQC. An amphipod (Hyalella azteca) and a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) have shown high sensitivity to Ni and Zn in previous studies. However, there remained uncertainties regarding t
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens, Edward J. Hammer, Eric Van Genderen, Adam C. Ryan, Christian E. Schlekat
Pulsed flow-through auto-feeding beaker systems for the laboratory culture of juvenile freshwater mussels
Newly metamorphosed freshwater mussels are small and delicate, so that captive laboratory culture presents challenges for handling; for maintenance of suitable microhabitat, water quality, and food; and for avoidance of competitors and predators. To address these challenges, a new pulsed flow-through auto-feeding beaker system was developed for culturing juvenile mussels. In this system, groups of
Authors
James L. Kunz, Eric Brunson, M. Christopher Barnhart, Elizabeth A. Glidewell, Ning Wang, Christopher G. Ingersoll
Biological effects of elevated major ions in surface water contaminated by a produced water from oil production
Produced water (PW) from oil and gas extraction processes has been shown to contain elevated concentrations of major ions. The objective of this study was to determine the potential effects of elevated major ions in PW-contaminated surface water on a fish (fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas) and a unionid mussel (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) in short-term (7-day) exposures. The test organism
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
Science and Products
Bringing Back Mussels: CERC's Restoration Efforts in the Clinton Watershed
CERC scientists plan to reintroduce mussels in an area where species have diminished.
Linking Mussel Habitat Conditions to Restoration Outcomes and Ecosystem Services
Supported by: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Program, Ecosystems Mission Area
New Technology to Support Culturing of Freshwater Mussels for Research and Restoration
Freshwater mussels are one of the most critically imperiled groups of organisms worldwide. Encouraging mussel reproduction in a controlled setting has become an area of interest due to their widespread population declines and regional extinctions (Williams et al., 1993; Lydeard et al., 2004; Strayer et al., 2004; Haag 2012; Lopes-Lima et al., 2017). With constantly evolving techniques, rearing...
Science Partnership between USGS and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to Support Conservation of Freshwater Mussels
Western Pearlshell ( Margaritifera falcata ) is a native mussel species of conservation concern in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. This species is of cultural importance to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The current project is a collaboration between the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), the CTUIR, and USFWS to better understand...
An Evaluation the Chronic Toxicity of Metals in Water and Sediment to the Unionid Mussel, Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), in Exposures Representing Conditions in the Tri-States Mining District
The Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) is a large (about 500 sq. mi.) historical lead and zinc mining area that includes portions of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The TSMD yielded about 460 million tons of ore between 1885 and 1970, resulting in contamination of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and soils in the Spring River and Neosho River basins by lead, zinc, and other heavy metals.
An assessment of Deep Fork River Effluent Toxicity to the Unionid Mussel Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea)
Nearly 70% of the 300 mussel species in North America are endangered, threatened, of special concern, or extinct. Environmental contaminants have been identified as a contributing factor to the decline of mussel populations.
Chemical and Biological Data from a Study on Evaluation of Survival and Growth of Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in Short-Term Chronic Toxicity Tests with Nickel and Ammonia
Short-term 7-day ammonia and nickel toxicity tests were conducted with juvenile Fatmucket. This data release reports individual biological, chemical, and water quality measurements in each toxicity test.
Chemical and Biological Data from a Study on Evaluation of Chronic Effects of Potassium Chloride and Nickel on Survival, Growth, and Reproduction of a Unionid Mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea)
We conducted multiple toxicity tests to (1) evaluate the survival and growth of juvenile mussels (Fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) in a standard 4-week and a longer-term 12-week exposures following a method refined from the standard method using two common reference toxicants (potassium chloride [KCl] and nickel [Ni]); (2) evaluate reproductive endpoints from reproductive KCl and Ni toxicity test
Survival and growth of the freshwater mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea during a 28-day chronic zinc exposure and subsequent grow-out period
This dataset contains the results of a laboratory chronic bioassay with 6-week-old juvenile mussels (Fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) in a 28-day zinc exposure (120 and 240 micrograms zinc per liter) with endpoints of survival and growth (biomass and length) following standard ASTM methods. Surviving mussels were transferred from the control and treatment groups into a culture pond and their surv
Chemical and biological data from a study on sensitivity of a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) to a permitted effluent and elevated potassium
The data release includes data from four studies: (1) toxicity of a permitted effluent, which entered the Deep Fork River (DFR), Oklahoma, USA, to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) and to 2 standard test species (cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia; and fathead minnow Pimephales promelas) in short-term 7-d effluent tests; (2) relative sensitivities of the 3 species to potassium (K), an elevated m
Chemical and biological data from a study on method development for a short term 7 day sodium chloride and mock effluent toxicity tests with unionid mussels
The data consists of the responses (survival, growth, and/or reproduction) of test organisms were determined in six concentrations of toxicants in 7-day toxicity tests or in four different feeding rates in 7-day feeding experiments. Specifically we evaluated the sensitivity of 2 mussel species (Villosa constricta and Lampsilis siliquoidea) and P. promelas and C. dubia using effluents in 7-d exposu
Chemical and biological data from acute and chronic nickel and zinc exposure bioassays to two sensitive freshwater benthic invertebrates
The responses (survival, growth, and/or reproduction) of test organisms in six concentrations of toxicants in acute and chronic tests. Chemical and water quality parameters were measured for quality assurance and quality control purposes.
Survival and growth of juvenile freshwater mussels in a flow-through auto-feeding system
Survival and growth of four species of juvenile mussels in a pulsed flow-through auto-feeding beaker system.
Physical, Chemical, and Bioassay Data from the Study on Effects of Elevated Major Ions in Surface Water Contaminated by a Produced Water from Oil Production
This dataset characterizes sensitivity of fathead minnow and a unionid mussel to elevated major ions in produced water from oil and gas extraction process.
Evaluating chronic toxicity of sodium chloride or potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) in water exposures using standard and refined toxicity test methods
Individual measurements of toxicity and water quality data used to calculate means reported in the associated publication. The objectives of the present study were to (1) refine test conditions for improving mussel survival and growth in a long-term feeding study, (2) evaluate chronic toxicity of NaCl and KCl to fatmucket under traditional test conditions outlined in ASTM (ASTM 2017) and the refin
Toxicity and chemistry data from an evaluation of metal-contaminated sediments from the Upper Columbia River, Washington, 2013-2014
This resource contains chemistry and toxicity data from sediment toxicity tests conducted by the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center with 66 sediment samples collected from in and around the Upper Columbia River in the fall of 2013. Toxicity testing was conducted from fall 2013 through summer 2014 with the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, the midge Chironomus dilutus, and the mussel Lampsilis si
Sediment-quality and water-toxicity data from 10 sites on the Westside Creeks and San Antonio River, San Antonio, Texas, 2014
Sediment samples and samples for water-toxicity testing were collected during 2014 from several streams in San Antonio, Texas known locally as the Westside creeks (Alazn, Apache, Martnez, and San Pedro Creeks) and from the San Antonio River. Samples were collected once during base-flow and again after periods of storm-water runoff (post-storm conditions) to determine baseline sediment- and water-q
Filter Total Items: 41
Evaluation of short-term mussel test for estimating toxicity
Effect concentrations of ammonia, nickel, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride from short-term 7-day tests were compared to those from standard chronic 28-day toxicity tests with juvenile mussels (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) to evaluate the sensitivities of the 7-day tests. The effect concentrations for nickel (59 µg Ni/L), chloride (316–519 mg Cl/L, a range from multiple tests), and pota
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Chris D. Ivey, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens
A model for evaluation of sediment exposure and burial for freshwater mussels from heavy particle sedimentation
Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) are an ecologically important faunal group. Excessive sediments, both in suspended and deposited formats, are believed to have negative effects on survival of freshwater mussels. However, there is a lack of quantitative tools for assessing the impact of abrupt and excessive sedimentation on freshwater mussel habitats. This gap in knowledge poses challenges f
Authors
Binbin Wang, Brandon James Sansom, Wenyu Zhu, James L. Kunz, M. Christopher Barnhart, Henry Brown, Stephen E. McMurray, Andrew D Roberts, Christopher Shulse, Caleb Knerr, Kathleen Trauth, Jeffery Steevens, Baolin Deng
Impacts of acute and chronic suspended solids exposure on juvenile freshwater mussels
Construction activities may affect adjacent water systems by introducing increased levels of suspended solids into the water body and may subsequently affect the survival and growth of freshwater mussels. We tested three sediment types from sites in Missouri, including Spring River sediment (SRS), Osage River bank clay soil (ORC), and quarried limestone from Columbia (LMT). We prepared series of s
Authors
Wenyu Zhu, James L. Kunz, Eric Brunson, Christopher M. Barnhart, Henry Brown, Stephen E. McMurray, Andy Roberts, Christopher Shulse, Kathleen Trauth, Binbin Wang, Jeffery A. Steevens, Baolin Deng
Responses of juvenile mussels to metals in sediment and water of the Tri-State Mining District
The U.S. Geological Survey and collaborators from EcoAnalysts, Inc., completed field and laboratory studies during 2016–19 to evaluate the toxicity of metals to freshwater mussels in streams draining the Tri-State Mining District. This project consisted of (1) sampling and analysis of metals in water and sediment, (2) surveys of mussel assemblages at sites with suitable mussel habitat, (3) toxicit
Authors
John M. Besser, Chris D. Ivey, James L. Kunz, Nile E. Kemble, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens, Heidi Dunn, Ryan Foley
Survival and growth of juvenile mussels in an outdoor pond after 28-day laboratory exposure to aqueous zinc
The extent to which effects seen in chronic toxicity studies in the laboratory affect mussel fitness later in life is poorly known. We examined juvenile Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) survival and growth for 56 d following exposure to Zn in a laboratory bioassay. We conducted a 28-d chronic toxicity bioassay with 6-wk-old juvenile mussels exposed to a control and two Zn treatments (120 and 240
Authors
Jeffery A. Steevens, James L. Kunz, Ning Wang, Christopher M. Barnhart, Serena Ciparis
Laboratory-derived bioaccumulation kinetic parameters for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in freshwater mussels
Although freshwater mussels are imperiled and identified as key conservation priorities, limited bioaccumulation information is available on these organisms for contaminants of emerging concern. In the present study we investigated the bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the model freshwater pond mussel Sagittunio subrostratus because mussels provide important ecosyste
Authors
Jeffery Steevens, Rebecca A. Consbrock, Eric Brunson, James L. Kunz, Erin L. Pulster, Rebekah S. Burket, Kevin M. Stroski, Jaylen L. Sims, Matt F. Simcik, Bryan W. Brooks
Influences of water hardness on chronic toxicity of potassium chloride to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea)
Elevated concentrations of potassium (K) often occur in effluents from wastewater treatment plants, oil and gas production operations, mineral extraction processes, and from other anthropogenic sources. Previous studies have demonstrated that freshwater mussels are highly sensitive to K in acute and chronic exposures, and acute toxicity of K decreases with increasing water hardness. However, littl
Authors
Ning Wang, Rebecca A. Dorman, James L. Kunz, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens, Suzanne Dunn, David Martinez
Method development for a short-term 7-day toxicity test with unionid mussels
The US Environmental Protection Agency's short-term freshwater effluent test methods include a fish (Pimephales promelas), a cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia), and a green alga (Raphidocelis subcapitata). There is a recognized need for additional taxa to accompany the three standard species for effluent testing. An appropriate additional taxon is unionid mussels because mussels are widely distribute
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Douglas K. Hardesty, Jeffery Steevens, Teresa J. Norberg-King, Edward J. Hammer, Candice R. Bauer, Tom Augspurger, Suzanne Dunn, David Martinez, M. Christopher Barnhart, Jordan Murray, Marcus Bowersox, John F. Roberts, Robert B. Bringolf, Robert Ratajczak, Serena Ciparis, W. Gregory Cope, Sean B. Buczek, Daniel Farrar, Lauren May, Mailee Garton, Patricia L. Gillis, James Bennett, Joseph Salerno, Brian Hester, Richard Lockwood, Christopher Tarr, Dennis McIntyre, Jonathan Wardell
The sensitivity of a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) to a permitted effluent and elevated potassium in the effluent
Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the world and are among the most sensitive species to a variety of chemicals. However, little is known about the sensitivity of freshwater mussels to wastewater effluents. The objectives of the present study were to (1) assess the toxicity of a permitted effluent, which entered the Deep Fork River, Oklahoma (USA), to a unionid m
Authors
James L. Kunz, Ning Wang, David Martinez, Suzanne Dunn, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens
Evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity of nickel and zinc to 2 sensitive freshwater benthic invertebrates using refined testing methods
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is reviewing the protectiveness of the national ambient water quality criteria (WQC) for nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) and compiling toxicity databases to update the WQC. An amphipod (Hyalella azteca) and a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) have shown high sensitivity to Ni and Zn in previous studies. However, there remained uncertainties regarding t
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens, Edward J. Hammer, Eric Van Genderen, Adam C. Ryan, Christian E. Schlekat
Pulsed flow-through auto-feeding beaker systems for the laboratory culture of juvenile freshwater mussels
Newly metamorphosed freshwater mussels are small and delicate, so that captive laboratory culture presents challenges for handling; for maintenance of suitable microhabitat, water quality, and food; and for avoidance of competitors and predators. To address these challenges, a new pulsed flow-through auto-feeding beaker system was developed for culturing juvenile mussels. In this system, groups of
Authors
James L. Kunz, Eric Brunson, M. Christopher Barnhart, Elizabeth A. Glidewell, Ning Wang, Christopher G. Ingersoll
Biological effects of elevated major ions in surface water contaminated by a produced water from oil production
Produced water (PW) from oil and gas extraction processes has been shown to contain elevated concentrations of major ions. The objective of this study was to determine the potential effects of elevated major ions in PW-contaminated surface water on a fish (fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas) and a unionid mussel (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) in short-term (7-day) exposures. The test organism
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery Steevens, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli