Date Approved
2-22-2012
Degree Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department or School
Biology
Committee Member
Steven N. Francoeur, PhD, Chair
Committee Member
Peggy Liggit, PhD
Committee Member
Gary Hannan, PhD
Abstract
Road salt application and salt-laden run-off are common, yet little information exists about its influence on periphyton. I measured extracelluar enzyme activity and photosynthetic activity of natural winter stream periphyton communities under various short-term laboratory salt exposures. The results of this study suggest that short-term exposure to increased concentrations of salt did not affect extracelluar enzyme activity but could temporarily reduce the photosynthetic activity of the periphyton. Further work will be necessary to understand the longterm effects of increased salt concentrations on periphyton and extracellular enzyme activity.
Recommended Citation
Cook, Leah, "Effects of road salt on photosynthetic and enzyme activity of stream biofilms" (2012). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 410.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/410