SREL Reprint #3349

Differences in the effect of coal pile runoff (low pH, high metal concentration) versus natural Carolina Bay water (low pH, low metal concentration) on plant condition and associated bacterial epiphytes of Salvinia minima

A. H. Lindell1, R. C. Tuckfield2, and J. V. McArthur1

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
2Ecostatys LLC, Aiken, SC 29803, USA

Abstract: Numerous wetlands and streams have been impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD) resulting in lowered pH and increased levels of toxic heavy metals. Remediation of these contaminated sites requires knowledge on the response of microbial communities (especially epiphytic) and aquatic plants to these altered environmental conditions. We examined the effect of coal pile runoff waters as an example of AMD in contrast to natural water from Carolina Bays with low pH and levels of metals on Salvinia minima, a non-native, metal accumulating plant and associated epiphytic bacteria. Treatments included water from two Carolina Bays, one AMD basin and Hoagland’s Solution at two pH levels (natural and adjusted to 5.0–5.5). Using controlled replicated microcosms (N = 64) we determined that the combination of low pH and high metal concentrations has a significant negative impact (p < 0.05) on plant condition and epiphytes. Solution metal concentrations dropped indicating removal from solution by S. minima in all microcosms.

Keywords: Salvinia minima, Heavy metals, Bacteria, Epiphyte, Carolina Bays, Coal pile run-off

SREL Reprint #3349

Lindell, A. H., R. C. Tuckfield, and J. V. McArthur. 2016. Differences in the effect of coal pile runoff (low pH, high metal concentration) versus natural Carolina Bay water (low pH, low metal concentration) on plant condition and associated bacterial epiphytes of Salvinia minima. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 96(5): 602-607.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).