About This Project

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The goal of our experiment is to examine juvenile fish for the presence of selenium-induced defects. We wish to develop an index to evaluate impacts on the Dan River fish community.

Of the many toxins present in coal ash, selenium is a well-documented contaminant that causes developmental abnormalities and reproductive failures in fish and wildlife.

Types of abnormalities documented included spinal curvature, craniofacial defects (including mouth, jaws, and gill cover), fin irregularities (missing, misshaped, vestigial), eye abnormalities, and edema (fluid accumulation and associated swelling).

What is the significance of this project?

As of 2011, there are 589 coal-fired power plants in the U.S. The total pollutant effect on our water sheds and ecosystems in the United States is unknown and possibly irreversible.

It is critical that the tragedy that occurred on the Dan River be vastly analysed. Currently the only investigations being done are utility companies' self reporting on whether the contaminated water is safe for human contact and consumption. The ecological effects and lasting impacts need to be developed, realized, and indexed. Hard science with the public's awareness can call for necessary spill prevention.

We need this community's help to advance the science, fund field sampling, minnow traps, preservation supplies, lab supplies, soil analysis and student technician wages.

What are the goals of the project?

Our experiment goal is to take 3 initial population samples and subsequent population samples every 3 months for a 12 months period. The stretch goal will allow us to sample for 18 months to develop an accurate rate of mutation.

Young fish will be collected from the Dan River during May and preserved in denatured alcohol. Each preserved specimen will be categorized according to its fish family and tallied prior to examination. Mutations will be noted and statistically analysed. Soil samples will also be taken and tested for reference selenium levels.

For comparison, sample locations will be collected an numerous sites down stream of the spill. For control, samples will be collected from a upstream site and from a separate watershed other than the Dan River.