Date of Award

12-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Legacy Department

Forestry and Natural Resources

Committee Chair/Advisor

Rodgers, John H

Committee Member

Castle , James

Committee Member

Huddleston , Matt

Abstract

In aqueous mixtures, boron can be toxic to plants or animals at relatively low concentrations. Boron may occur at concentrations that can pose risk to plants used in constructed wetland treatment systems designed to treat constituents of concerned in a complex matrix such as flue gas desulfurization water and boron may adversely affect survival, growth, and consequently, plant performance. The three major objectives of this research are: 1) to measure responses of Typha latifolia (seed germination and root and shoot elongation) and Schoenoplectus californicus early seedlings (survival, and shoot and root elongation) to aqueous exposures of boron in diluted FGD water and moderately hard water (MHW); 2) to measure responses of T. latifolia and S. californicus (mature plants) to aqueous boron concentrations in simulated FGD water; and 3) to measure responses of Ceriodaphnia dubia (survival and reproduction) and Pimephales promelas (survival) to aqueous boron concentrations in MWW. Boron in the combination of other constituent in FGD water may adversely affect T. latifolia and S. Californicus early seedling growth and this must considered in planting CWTS for FGD water. S. californicus as mature plant was more sensitive, in terms of shoot elongation shoot density to boron exposures in simulated FGD water than T. latifolia. Similar to most elements, aqueous boron exposures elicited different responses (sensitivity) from C. dubia and P. promelas. C. dubia was more sensitive to boron exposures than P. promelas. Immature plants were the most sensitive species tested in this study.

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