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/pdf/the-consequences-of-feminization-in-breeding-groups-of-wild-1n65pr4ozz.pdf

The Consequences of Feminization in Breeding Groups of Wild Fish

Intersex and reproductive impairment of wild fish exposed to multiple municipal wastewater discharges

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1553&context=usgsstaffpub

Widespread occurrence of intersex in black basses (Micropterus spp.) from U.S. rivers, 1995-2004

A high prevalence of intersex or testicular oocytes (TO) in male smallmouth bass within the Potomac River drainage has raised concerns as to the health of the river. Studies were conducted to document biomarker responses both temporally and spatially to better understand the influence of normal physiological cycles, as well as water quality and land-use influences. Smallmouth bass were collected over a 2-year period from three tributaries of the Potomac River: the Shenandoah River, the South Branch Potomac and Conococheague Creek, and an out-of-basin reference site on the Gauley River. The prevalence of TO varied seasonally with the lowest prevalence observed in July, post-spawn. Reproductive maturity and/or lack of spawning the previous spring, as well as land-use practices such as application of manure and pesticides, may influence the seasonal observations. Annual, seasonal, and site differences were also observed in the percentage of males with measurable concentrations of plasma vitellogenin, mean concentration of plasma vitellogenin in females, and plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in both sexes. Bass collected in the South Branch Potomac (moderate to high prevalence of TO) had less sperm per testes mass with a lower percentage of those sperm being motile when compared to those from the Gauley River (low prevalence of TO). An inverse relationship was noted between TO severity and sperm motility. An association between TO severity and wastewater treatment plant flow, percent of agriculture, total number of animal feeding operations, the number of poultry houses, and animal density within the catchment was observed.

/pdf/reproductive-endocrine-disruption-in-smallmouth-bass-96vvafotdu.pdf

Reproductive endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Potomac River basin: spatial and temporal comparisons of biological effects

Intersex in teleost fish: Are we distinguishing endocrine disruption from natural phenomena?

Intersex, or the presence of characteristics of both sexes, in fishes that are normally gonochoristic has been used as an indicator of exposure to estrogenic compounds. In 2003, during health assessments conducted in response to kills and a high prevalence of skin lesions observed in smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in the South Branch of the Potomac River, the presence of immature oocytes within testes was noted. To evaluate this condition, a severity index (0-4) was developed based on the distribution of oocytes within the testes. Using gonad samples collected from 2003 to 2005, the number of histologic sections needed to accurately detect the condition in mature smallmouth bass was statistically evaluated. The reliability of detection depended on the severity index and the number of sections examined. Examining five transverse sections taken along the length of the gonad resulted in a greater than 90% probability of detecting testicular oocytes when the severity index exceeded 0.5. Using the severity index we compared smallmouth bass collected at selected sites within the South Branch during three seasons in 2004. Seasonal differences in severity and prevalence were observed. The highest prevalence and severity were consistently noted during the prespawn-spawning season, when compared with the postspawn season. In 2005, smallmouth bass were collected at selected out-of-basin sites in West Virginia where fish kills and external skin lesions have not been reported, as well as at sites in the Shenandoah River, Virginia (part of the Potomac drainage), where kills and lesions occurred in 2004-2005. The prevalence of testicular oocytes is discussed in terms of human population and agricultural intensity.

/pdf/intersex-testicular-oocytes-in-smallmouth-bass-from-the-1gtpxtexjn.pdf

Intersex (Testicular Oocytes) in Smallmouth Bass from the Potomac River and Selected Nearby Drainages

The Federal Government accounts for about 2% of energy usage within the United States, with electricity accounting for approximately one-fifth of this usage. The Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest energy consumer across all Federal Agencies, accounting for nearly half of total use and has implemented programs to assure sustainable energy supplies for meeting mission critical operations. As prototype systems of Small Modular Reactors mature during the remainder of this decade, there is growing interest at senior levels of government to use the secure confines of military bases for electricity generated with SMRs to service power requirements of the DOD base and possibly the surrounding communities. This paper explores the potential for using DOD as an early adopter of SMRs from perspectives of the size of the market and adaptability of the current procurement process for private ownership of SMRs on military bases. Such an approach is shown to be consistent with DOD Sustainability objectives, as well as ensuring a continuation of the projected erosion of diversity mix for prime power generation within the U.S. A review of contract types for energy services are evaluated from the perspective of including SMRs. Required modifications for SMRs to be a part of this energy mix for Federal Agencies are presented.Copyright © 2014 by ASME

The U.S. Federal Market as an Early Adopter of SMRs

U. S. Federal Agencies have been directed to reduce all use of Fossil Fuel Energy in Buildings by 2030. The Department of Defense (DOD) has additional requirements to significantly reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and achieve energy independence for military installations over the next few decades. Installations are empowered to reach these ambitious goals with execution of long term contracts with service providers for power and industrial processes as long as their operating expenditures are lower than costs of existing services. This paper will explore the business case conditions for how Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) located on U.S. Army installations by a servicing utility could provide a viable energy alternative to the DOD for meeting these objectives. A systems perspective is critical toward understanding the potential for SMRs to enable pursing the parallel objectives of reducing fossil fuel usage, making installations energy self-sufficient, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions with long term operations at lower costs. The potential for meeting greenhouse gas emission goals will be analyzed in terms of quantifying the reductions in current emissions footprint of installations that would be achieved with shifting to non-carbon prime energy sources such as SMRs. Actual costs for meeting the energy needs of Army military installations in the U.S. will form the basis for defining the life cycle cost profiles to enable the base commanders to justify long term services contracts. As with any commercial power plant, the upfront costs for construction and startup testing, combined with lower system operating costs, will provide the basis for analyzing required economic lengths of contracts. To navigate the bumps of any new nuclear system, SMR power generating plants must be structured as a “Win-Win” proposition from both private and public sector perspectives. For the private investor, the contract must be constructed to allow for recovery of capital and operating costs by private investors with sufficient return on investment to undertake this type of business opportunity. For the government to engage in the deal, the contract must conform to capital lease requirements for federal contracts, but also demonstrate sufficient savings over existing leased utility services to enable execution of the contract by the military base. A systems approach that addresses life cycle costs at this early stage for SMRs will provide critical insight for Megawatt level power generating systems servicing small towns and communities similar in size to a military base. With the economic framework sufficiently defined to enable public sector commitments, program funding may be more forthcoming for completing SMR development, licensing and permitting phases on a prudent but expedited timeframe.Copyright © 2011 by ASME

Scott Foster

Papers

Intersex (Testicular Oocytes) in Smallmouth Bass from the Potomac River and Selected Nearby Drainages

The U.S. Federal Market as an Early Adopter of SMRs

The Business Case for SMRs on DOD Installations