Geographic analysis of thermal equilibria: A bioenergetic model for predicting thermal response of aquatic insect communities

Technical Report · Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5883844

Sweeney, B W; Newbold, J D; Vannote, R L

The thermal regime immediately downstream from bottom release reservoirs is often characterized by reduced diel and seasonal (winter warm/summer cool) conditions. These unusual thermal patterns have often been implicated as a primary factor underlying observed downstream changes in the species composition of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. The potential mechanisms for selective elimination of benthic species by unusual thermal regimes has been reviewed. Although the effects of temperature on the rate and magnitude of larval growth and development has been included in the list of potential mechanisms, only recently have field studies below dams focused on this interrelationship. This study investigates the overall community structure as well as the seasonal pattern of larval growth and development for several univoltine species of insects in the Delaware River below or near the hypolimnetic discharge of the Cannonsville and Pepeacton dams. These dams, which are located on the West and East branches of the Delaware River, respectively, produce a thermal gradient extending about 70 km downstream.

• Research Organization: Academy of Natural Sciences, Avondale, PA (United States). Stroud Water Research Center
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-79EV10259
• OSTI ID: 5883844
• Report Number(s): DOE/EV/10259-T4-Vol.2; ON: DE92004942
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
13 HYDRO ENERGY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
INSECTS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
FORECASTING
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
DAILY VARIATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
SURFACE WATERS
MODIFICATIONS
ANIMAL GROWTH
DAMS
DELAWARE RIVER
LARVAE
LIMNOLOGY
POWER PLANTS
PROGRESS REPORT
SPILLWAY
WATER RESERVOIRS
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
DOCUMENT TYPES
GROWTH
INVERTEBRATES
RIVERS
STREAMS
VARIATIONS
550100* - Behavioral Biology
130600 - Hydro Energy- Environmental Aspects
540340 - Environment
Aquatic- Thermal Effluents Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)