Version 1
: Received: 6 October 2023 / Approved: 9 October 2023 / Online: 9 October 2023 (12:33:42 CEST)
How to cite:
Meystedt, K.; Loganathan, B.G.; Hendricks, S.P.; White, D.S. Dissolved Calcium in Kentucky Lake and Its Watershed: Trends and Possible Sources and Implications for Zebra Mussel Colonization. Preprints2023, 2023100535. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0535.v1
Meystedt, K.; Loganathan, B.G.; Hendricks, S.P.; White, D.S. Dissolved Calcium in Kentucky Lake and Its Watershed: Trends and Possible Sources and Implications for Zebra Mussel Colonization. Preprints 2023, 2023100535. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0535.v1
Meystedt, K.; Loganathan, B.G.; Hendricks, S.P.; White, D.S. Dissolved Calcium in Kentucky Lake and Its Watershed: Trends and Possible Sources and Implications for Zebra Mussel Colonization. Preprints2023, 2023100535. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0535.v1
APA Style
Meystedt, K., Loganathan, B.G., Hendricks, S.P., & White, D.S. (2023). Dissolved Calcium in Kentucky Lake and Its Watershed: Trends and Possible Sources and Implications for Zebra Mussel Colonization. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0535.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Meystedt, K., Susan P. Hendricks and David S. White. 2023 "Dissolved Calcium in Kentucky Lake and Its Watershed: Trends and Possible Sources and Implications for Zebra Mussel Colonization" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0535.v1
Abstract
Dissolved calcium (Ca2+) concentrations in freshwater ecosystems are of growing concern as increasing levels have been implicated in altering the environmental conditions and biodiversity. Elevated Ca2+ levels and sporadic re-emergence and disappearance of invasive zebra mussels in Kentucky Lake in recent years served as a motivation for this study. The objective of this study was to determine Ca2+ spatial and temporal patterns in Kentucky Lake, selected tributary streams, and the Ohio River during and following a zebra mussel invasion. Over 1000 water samples were collected and analysed for dissolved calcium during 2018-2022. Approved analytical methods were followed for sampling and measuring dissolved calcium levels. Results revealed significant spatial and temporal patterns. Kentucky Lake Ca2+ levels varied between 15-25 mg/L depending on the sampling location and month/year. Kentucky Lake channel sites exhibited comparably higher concentrations of Ca 2+ than did most embayment and/or stream sites, indicating that tributary streams did not serve as primary sources of calcium to the lake. Dissolved calcium levels at main lake sites exceeded the threshold for zebra mussel growth and reproduction in 2018 during the time when zebra mussels were present. Calcium in lake water samples collected from 2019 through 2022 was at or just below the threshold. Temporal trend data showed a gradual increase in Ca2+ in Kentucky Lake throughout the study period but remaining at or below the threshold level considered critical for the zebra mussels’ reproduction and development. Calcium levels in the Ohio River site at Paducah were similar to Kentucky Lake reflecting the predominance of Tennessee River water, while levels at the Brookport site were consistent with values known to support zebra mussel populations. The elevated calcium levels in Kentucky Lake waters during the late winter and early spring months may be due to natural sources (mineral weathering) as well as human activities in the Tennessee River basin. This study emphasizes the need for continued calcium monitoring in the watershed to determine the potential for future zebra mussel outbreaks and potential influences on the lake ecosystem and its functions.
Chemistry and Materials Science, Applied Chemistry
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment:
This is an excellent article!
It is interesting to know that zebra mussels could not establish a reproducing population in Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River), USA. Understanding the characteristics of this water body and if we could reproduce these characteristics in other rivers and lakes (that are infested with zebra mussel) may help solve this invasive species problem, and sustain diversity, maintain aquatic ecosystem functions, and also save billions of dollars being spent on their removal.
In essence, your work sheds light on a fascinating aspect of ecological dynamics. Congratulations on this insightful scientific endeavor and its potential positive repercussions for both the environment and resource allocation!
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment:
This an excellent article!
It is interesting to know that zebra mussels could not establish a reproducing population in Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River), USA. Understanding the characteristics of this water body and if we could reproduce these characteristics in other rivers and lakes (that are infested with zebra mussel) may help solve this invasive species problem, and sustain diversity, maintain aquatic ecosystem functions, and also save billions of dollars being spent on their removal.
In essence, your work sheds light on a fascinating aspect of ecological dynamics. Congratulations on this insightful scientific endeavor and its potential positive repercussions for both the environment and resource allocation!
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment:
Excellent research article.
Attention to historical context of the research, as well as economic impacts involved in dealing with dreissena polymorpha in freshwater ecosystems was well covered! Thorough investigation and well written. The results of this work definitely lead to some more questions to be explored in the future, as well as compared to other infested waterways.
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Commenter:
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
It is interesting to know that zebra mussels could not establish a reproducing population in Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River), USA. Understanding the characteristics of this water body and if we could reproduce these characteristics in other rivers and lakes (that are infested with zebra mussel) may help solve this invasive species problem, and sustain diversity, maintain aquatic ecosystem functions, and also save billions of dollars being spent on their removal.
In essence, your work sheds light on a fascinating aspect of ecological dynamics. Congratulations on this insightful scientific endeavor and its potential positive repercussions for both the environment and resource allocation!
Commenter:
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
It is interesting to know that zebra mussels could not establish a reproducing population in Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River), USA. Understanding the characteristics of this water body and if we could reproduce these characteristics in other rivers and lakes (that are infested with zebra mussel) may help solve this invasive species problem, and sustain diversity, maintain aquatic ecosystem functions, and also save billions of dollars being spent on their removal.
In essence, your work sheds light on a fascinating aspect of ecological dynamics. Congratulations on this insightful scientific endeavor and its potential positive repercussions for both the environment and resource allocation!
Commenter:
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Attention to historical context of the research, as well as economic impacts involved in dealing with dreissena polymorpha in freshwater ecosystems was well covered! Thorough investigation and well written. The results of this work definitely lead to some more questions to be explored in the future, as well as compared to other infested waterways.