Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of acidic pond water on amphibians: A review

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Acidic pond water may influence the reproduction of amphibians by causing direct mortality of embryos and larvae, and/or by disrupting trophic relationships between amphibians and other aquatic organisms. The embryo is the most sensitive stage of development and may abort soon after exposure to very low pH or eventually fail to hatch at a more moderate pH. Larvae are killed by disruption of Na and Cl balance. The toxicity of pond water is governed by complex interactions of pH, temperature, and the concentrations of Al, Ca, and organic acids. The reduction in recruitment associated with acidification of ponds affects both the local distribution and abundance of amphibians. The relative importance of different mechanisms of acidification of amphibian breeding sites is unknown. Amphibian breeding ponds are generally small, low in buffering capacity, and darkly stained by humic substances, making it difficult to discriminate between the contribution of acid from atmospheric input and natural sources (such as sphagnum and organic acids). It is however quite clear that temporary ponds are extremely vulnerable to acidification by rain and that they require continued monitoring in order to detect future changes in biological and/or chemical characteristics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Baker, J.P. and Schofield, C.L.: 1980, Water Air Soil Pollut. 18, 289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beebee, T.J.C. and Griffin, J.R.: 1977, J. Zool., Lond. 181, 341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D.J.A. and Lynam, S.: 1982, Bull. Envir. Contam. Toxicol. 30, 582.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, E.J. and Hedrick, J.L.: 1974, Devel. Biol. 38, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, K.L.: 1984, unpublished observations.

  • Clark, K.L. and Euler, D.: 1982, The Importance of pH and Habitat Disturbance in Amphibian Distributions in Central Ontario. Technical Report of the Wildlife Habitat Component, Lakeshore Capacity Study. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Queen's Park, Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, K.L. and Hall, R.J.: 1985, Can. J. Zool. 63, 116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, K.L. and Lazerte, B.D.: 1985, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 42, 1544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S.: 1967, ‘Control of cation concentrations, and in particular of pH, in Sphagnum dominated communities’. p. 273–284. In: Chemical Environment in the Aquatic Environment. H.L. Golterman and R.S. Clymo eds. N. V. Noord-Hollandsche Uitgevers Maatschappij — Amsterdam 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, R.P.: 1983, Biol. Cons. 27, 77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke, A.S. and Frazer, J.F.D.: 1976, J. Zool., Lond. 178, 223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbett, E.S. and Lynch, J.A.: 1982, ‘Rapid fluctuations in streamflow, pH, and associated water quality parameters during a stormflow event’. p. 461–464. Proc. Inter. Sympo. Hydrometerol. Am. Water Resour. Assoc. June 13–17, Denver, CO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dale, J. and Freedman, B.: 1983, Effects of Acidity on Nova Scotia Amphibians. First Annual Report for the Canadian Widlife Service and Institute for Resource and Environment Studies. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dale, J.M., Freedman, B. and Kerekes, J.: 1985, Can. J. Zool. 63, 97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dale, J.M., Freedman, B. and Kerekes, J.: 1986, Proc. N.S. Inst. Sci., in press.

  • DeWalle, D.R., Sharpe, W.E., Leibfried, R.T., Dinicola, R.S., Kimmel, W.G. and Sherwin, L.S.: 1984, J. Environ. Qual. 13, 619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Driscoll, C.T., Baker, J.P., Bisogni, J.J. and Schofield, C.L.: 1980, Nature 284, 161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunson, W.A. and Connell, J.: 1982, J. Herp. 16, 314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freda, J. and Dunson, W.A.: 1984, Physiol. Zool. 57, 435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freda, J. and Dunson, W.A.: 1985a, Copeia 1985(2), 414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freda, J. and Dunson, W.A.: 1985b, Can. J. Zool. 63, 2649.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freda, J. and Duns on, W.A.: 1985c, The Effect of Acidic Precipitation on Amphibians breeding in Temporary Ponds in Pennsylvania. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Energy and Land Use Team. Biol. Report 80(40.21), Box 705, Kearneyville, WV, 25430.

  • Freda, J. and Dunson, W.A.: 1986a, Copeia 1986(2), 454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freda, J. and Dunson, W.A.: 1986b, J. Comp. Physiol. B, in press.

  • Gascon, C. and Bider, J.R.: 1985, Can. Field-Nat. 99, 259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gascon, C. and Planas, D.: 1986 Can. J. Zool. 64, 543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glooschenko, V., Weller, W. and Eastwood, C.: 1985, Amphibian Abundance and Distribution with Respect to Environmental Contaminants and pH Stress Adjacent to Sudbury, Ontario. Technical report of Wildlife branch, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Queen's Park, Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosner, K.L. and Black, I.H.: 1957, Ecology 38, 256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haines, T.A.: 1981, Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 110, 669.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemond, H.F.: 1980, Ecol. Monogr. 50, 507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jewell, M.E. and Brown, H.W.: 1929, Ecology 10, 427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karns, D.R.: 1983, Toxic Bog Water in Northern Minnesota Peatlands: Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences for Breeding Amphibians. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katagiri, C.: 1975, J. Exp. Zool. 193, 109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilham, P.: 1982, Michigan Botanist 21, 159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leuven, R.S.E.W., den Hartog, C., Christiaans, M.M.C and Heijligers, W.H.C.: 1986, Experentia, in press.

  • Ling, R.W., VanAmberg, J.P. and Werner, J.K.: 1986, Ambystoma maculatum and Rana sylvatica in Upper Michigan’. J. Herpetol., in press.

  • Mathews, R.C. and Morgan, E.L.: 1982, J. Environ. Qual. 11, 102.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, D.G.: 1983, Can. J. Zool. 61, 691.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, D.G., Ozog, J.L. and Simons, B.P.: 1985, Can. J. Zool. 62, 2171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mushinsky, H.R. and Brodie, E.D.: 1975, Amer. Midl. Nat. 93, 440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, R., Matson, B. and Anderson, L.: 1979, ‘Streams and lakes in the Pine Barrens’. p. 169–193. In: Pine Barrens: Ecosystems and Landscape. R.T.T. Forman, ed. Academic Press, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, R.H., Daye, P.G., Lacroix, G.L. and Garside, E.T.: 1982, ‘Reproduction in fish experiencing acid and metal stresses’. p. 177–196. In: Acid Rain / Fisheries. R.E. Johnson, ed. Am. Fish. Soc., Bethesda, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, B.A.:1985, Unpublished observations.

  • Pierce, B.A. and Harvey, J.M.: 1986, Copeia, in press.

  • Pierce, B.A., Hoskins, J.B. and Epstein, E.: 1984, J. Herp. 18, 159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, B.A. and Sikand, N.: 1985, Can. J. Zool. 63, 1647.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K.R. and Hakanson, D.E.: 1976, Copeia 1976(2), 327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pough, F.H.: 1976, Science 192, 68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pough, F.H. and Wilson, R.E.: 1977, Water Air Soil Pollut. 7, 307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Punzo, F.: 1983, 31, 467.

  • Saber, P.A. and Dunson, W.A.: 1978, J. Exp. Zool. 204, 133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salthe, S.N.: 1965, Physiol. Zool. 38, 80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlichter, L.C.: 1981, Can J. Zool. 59, 1693.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R.F.: 1960, An Ecological Study of an Acid Pond in the New Jersey Coastal Plain. Ph.D. Thesis, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprague, J.B. and Ramsey, B.A.: 1965, J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canad. 22, 425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tome, M.A. and Pough, F.H.: 1982, ‘Responses of amphibians to acid precipitation’. p. 245–254. In: Acid Rain / Fisheries. R.E. Johnson, ed. Amer. Fish Soc. Bethesda, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Urch, U.A. and Hedrick, J.L.: 1981, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 206, 424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilbur, H.M.: 1984, ‘Complex life cycles and community organization in amphibians’. p. 195–224. In: A New Ecology — Novel Approaches to Interactive Systems. P.W. Price, C.N. Slobodchoff, and W.S. Gaud, eds. John Wiley and Son, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshizaki, N.: 1978, J. Exp. Zool. 203, 127.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program in Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, 16802, University Park, PA, USA

    Joseph Freda

Authors
  1. Joseph Freda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Freda, J. The influence of acidic pond water on amphibians: A review. Water Air Soil Pollut 30, 439–450 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305213

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305213

Keywords

Search

Navigation