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Show Water pollution ecology The second project is "Water Pollution Ecology," initiated about three years ago by Professor of Zoology, Dr. Arden R. Gaufin. There are several branches of this project, each one being pursued by a different grad. student. Among these branches are studies of the effects of pesticides and of heavy mineral wastes on aquatic insects, as well as of the respiratory rates of these insects. The study is still too recent to show any definite results. Dr. Gaufin and his associate in the project, Dr. C. M. Gilmour, hope eventually to be able to determine if such conditions as higher temperatures and heavy metal wastes injected into the natural water habitats of these insects-mainly the Mayfly, Caddis and Stone fly-are indeed harmful to them. If so, it could turn out that these waste materials, when drained into our natural bodies of water, could conceivably wipe out the populations of fourteen different species of aquatic insects, upon which many fish depend for food. Thus, if this chain were to continue unchecked, we might eventually find our lakes, rivers, and streams barren of any kind of fish at all. And if it can be proven scientifically that such wastes are so harmful, then it would only remain for legislatures to pass laws against these practices by industries. Due to a sudden rise of interest in ecology over the past five years or so, many young scientists are now turning to this type of research and are becoming involved in this field of study. Man has ignored the rapid deterioration of his surroundings far too long; even so, projects such as these on air and water pollution give rise to new hope. For if man can become the master of his environmental problems, then perhaps it is not too late for him to undo the damage he has done. 318 |
