An ecological study on the introduction of the banded sculpin into a coal flyash impacted stream

Author

Brian A. Carrico

Date of Award

12-1995

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Life Sciences

Major Professor

David A. Etnier

Committee Members

Arthur Stewart, Marshall Adams, Walter Farkas

Abstract

A number of banded sculpins (Cottus carolinae (Gill)] were obtained from a population in a reference stream, marked with subcutaneous acrylic paint injections, and introduced into McCoy Branch, a small second-order stream located on the Oak Ridge Reservation in eastern Tennessee, which was inhabited by only a few banded sculpins prior to the study. McCoy Branch had received deposits of coal ash slurry for a prolonged period, however, there were some indications of recovery in the macroinvertebrate community due to improvements in water quality (Tolbert and Smith 1992). Stream habitat characteristics and water chemistry parameters were monitored in McCoy Branch and a reference stream (Hansard Mill Branch) for a three-year period. Feeding patterns and reproductive activities of the banded sculpins were also monitored during the study. Sculpin population parameters including density, condition factor, and young-of-year (YOY) abundance and survival were studied. The results of the study show that the introduced fish have survived and appear to be in good condition. The sculpins have maintained a density of approximately 0.12 fish per m₂ of stream, a figure similar to that found in other headwater streams located in the region. Colonization rates and sculpin densities in McCoy Branch were lower than expected, perhaps due to physical habitat degradation and reduced macroinvertebrate abundance. Evidence of sculpin reproduction in McCoy Branch was seen in the presence of gravid female sculpins (1994 and 1995) and YOY fish (1993 through 1995 year classes). This study indicates that McCoy Branch continues to recover from past perturbations to the point where it can now support a viable population of banded sculpins.

Recommended Citation

Carrico, Brian A., "An ecological study on the introduction of the banded sculpin into a coal flyash impacted stream. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1995.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/11073