Microcosm investigations of stormwater pond sediment toxicity to embryonic and larval amphibians: variation in sensitivity among species.
Stormwater ponds have become common features of modern development and often represent significant amounts of open space in urbanized areas. Although stormwater ponds may provide habitat for wildlife, factors responsible for producing variation in wildlife use of ponds have received limited attention. To investigate the role of variation in species tolerances of pollutants in structuring pond-breeding amphibian assemblages, we exposed species tolerant (Bufo americanus) and not tolerant (Rana sylvatica) of urbanization to pond sediments in laboratory microcosms. Pond microcosms had elevated sediment metal levels and chloride water concentrations. Among R. sylvatica embryos, exposure to pond sediments resulted in 100% mortality. In contrast, B. americanus embryos and larvae experienced only sublethal effects (i.e., reduced size at metamorphosis) due to pond sediment exposure. Our results suggest variation in pollutant tolerance among early developmental stages of amphibians may act in concert with terrestrial habitat availability to structure amphibian assemblages associated with stormwater ponds.
Snodgrass
Joel W
JW
Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252, USA. jsnodgrass@towson.edu
Casey
Ryan E
RE
Joseph
Debra
D
Simon
Judith A
JA
D000818:Animals; D002023:Bufo bufo / Q000196:embryology*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005618:Fresh Water; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000187:drug effects; D011898:Ranidae / Q000196:embryology*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D013045:Species Specificity; D014507:Urbanization; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity
D002712:Chlorides; D008670:Metals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical