Icthyoplanktonic vertical distribution & ingress in the Aransas Pass inlet system
| dc.contributor.advisor | Portnoy, David | |
| dc.contributor.author | Robson, Olivia Ann | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Tolan, James | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Withers, Kim | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-04-08T21:27:05Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-04-08T21:27:05Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023-12 | |
| dc.description | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology. | |
| dc.description.abstract | In the Coastal Bend region of Texas desalination plants have been proposed as a solution to water usage problems. These plants take in brackish/marine water and dispose of brine, which in coastal inlets would create a plume of water with higher salinity and temperature. Desalination plants could impact estuarine dependent fishes whose larvae pass through the inlets on their way to nursery habitat. In this study I sample the Aransas Pass Inlet system, in the vicinity of one of the proposed desalination plans, during day and night and during both incoming and outgoing tides at three different depth strata, to provide data on larval assemblages in the channel. Results showed that larval were greatest in the deepest stratum and during nighttime hours. Key spawning months for several important families were also confirmed. Briny discharge may adversely affect larval development and survival depending on sensitivity to abrupt changes in salinity and temperature, which differs by species and developmental stage. Currently there are no specific regulations addressing desalination plant discharge, but this research suggests those regulations should limit the location and timing of discharge to mitigate potential negative impacts on local ichthyofauna. | |
| dc.description.college | College of Science | |
| dc.description.department | Life Sciences | |
| dc.format.extent | 75 pages | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1969.6/97964 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.rights | This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with its source. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the author and/or publisher. | |
| dc.subject | desalination | |
| dc.subject | estuary | |
| dc.subject | larval fish | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | biology | |
| dc.title | Icthyoplanktonic vertical distribution & ingress in the Aransas Pass inlet system | |
| dc.type | Text | |
| dc.type.genre | Thesis | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Biology | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Texas A & M University--Corpus Christi | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science |