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RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE EFFECTS OF SOLAR RADIATION ON AMPHIBIANS
Citation:
Diamond, S A., G T. Ankley, J E. Tietge, AND G. S. Peterson. RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE EFFECTS OF SOLAR RADIATION ON AMPHIBIANS. Presented at American Society for Limnology and Oceanography 2003 Winter Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, February 8-14, 2003.
Description:
Recent studies have demonstrated that exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can cause mortality and increase the occurrence of eye and limb malformation in some species of amphibians. Based on these reports and various field observations, it has been hypothesized that UVR may contribute to adverse effects in amphibian populations. It is difficult, however, to assess the level of UVR risk to amphibians because of; (1) limitations in dose-response data for UVR effects, and (2) the lack of UVR exposure data or methods for amphibian wetland habitats. Over the last several years we have developed a robust data set of measured dose-response relationships for mortality and malformations in Northern leopard, green, and mink frogs exposed to UVR during early development. We have also developed methods to estimate UVR dose in 25 northern Minnesota and Wisconsin wetlands. We have used these data to complete a preliminary risk assessment that incorporates the effect of ozone, weather, water-column UVR attenuation, and breeding season in natural habitats. The results reveal little risk for UVR effects during early lifestages for these species and locations.