Biology Commons^™

Comparison Of Threatened Neosho Madtom Densities Between Riverscapes Differing In Anthropogenic Stressors, With A Particular Focus On Recovery From Mining-Derived Metal Pollution, Kali Boroughs

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Water pollution imperils the Neosho Madtom (Noturus placidus), which is threatened in Kansas and federally. Within Kansas madtom densities were historically lower in the Spring River compared to the Cottonwood and Neosho Rivers, especially within the Spring River below tributary inputs that delivered cadmium, lead, and zinc pollution from the Tri-State Mining District. Studies suggest that madtoms are less numerous in waters containing elevated metal concentrations because of direct toxicity and lower benthic macroinvertebrate availability, which is also depressed by elevated metal concentrations. However, long-term reductions in metal concentrations in the Spring River have occurred, but to date …