Tommy Cianciolo’s work has been published in Science of the Total Environment! The article is titled “Impacts to water quality and biota persist in mining-influenced Appalachian streams.” This article investigates salinization from surface coal mining in central Appalachian headwater streams. Salinization is associated with alterations of benthic macroinvertebrate communities, as many organisms are adapted to the naturally dilute streams of the region. The findings of this study indicate that salinization and its biological effects persist, likely for decades, in central Appalachian headwater streams. This work also highlights the value of long-term monitoring data for assessing recovery potential of salinized freshwaters, as well as the need for improved understanding of water quality and biological recovery processes and time frames.
Access the online article HERE.
