Graduate Program

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

Spring 2024

Thesis Director

Robert E. Colombo

Thesis Committee Member

Daniel Johnson

Thesis Committee Member

Thomas Canam

Abstract

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a point source of pollution that have potentially damaging effects on downstream fish populations, including reduced growth and survival and reproductive complications. To examine these possible effects, fathead minnows were exposed to effluent of three wastewater treatment processes at the Charleston Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Charleston, Illinois. These three treatments included two secondary treatments, a biofilm treatment and an activated sludge treatment, and one tertiary U.V. treatment. Two trials took place during this project: an acute, two-week exposure trial, and a chronic 119 day exposure trial. Upon completion of each trial, fish were assessed for survival and growth, and fish exposed to chronic WWTP effluent were evaluated for reproductive characteristics and development. Based on the available data, survival and growth of fathead minnows did not differ significantly following acute or chronic exposure to different stages of wastewater effluent. Additionally, reproductive characteristics and development did not vary among fish exposed to different wastewater effluents. These results suggest that there is little difference in impact of the three treatments on downstream fish populations from a WWTP. However, due to multiple equipment malfunctions and extraneous factors that lead to very low survival or even none in some treatments, it is not possible to make any definitive assertions. Further research that builds on this study using a greater sample size and more preventable measures in place to maintain control over the project would be beneficial in having a full understanding of these three wastewater treatments, in addition to the potential impacts of the wild fish populations that are exposed to them.

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