• Login
    View Item 
    •   Carroll Scholars Home
    • Life and Environmental Sciences
    • Life and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Theses
    • View Item
    •   Carroll Scholars Home
    • Life and Environmental Sciences
    • Life and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Viability Relationships Of Small Mammal Populations At Varying Distances From The Asarco Smelter In East Helena, Montana

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    1995_HansenB_THS_000389.pdf (4.227Mb)
    Author
    Hansen, Burke
    Advisor
    Jean Smith; D. Scott Brown; Ann Bertagnolli
    Date of Issue
    1995-04-01
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    URI
    https://scholars.carroll.edu/handle/20.500.12647/3001
    Title
    Viability Relationships Of Small Mammal Populations At Varying Distances From The Asarco Smelter In East Helena, Montana
    Type
    thesis
    Abstract
    This research investigated the possible correlation between distance from the ASARCO lead smelter in East Helena, Montana, and small mammal population size. Due to smelter emissions, nearby soils have toxic levels of arsenic and heavy metals. Because these heavy metal and arsenic concentrations in the soil are inversely related to distance from the smelter, it follows that plants and animals would be better able to survive at a greater distance from the source of detrimental emissions released by the smelter. Fifty-four Sherman live traps were set in a rectangular grid, and mice were captured and released in order to estimate the population sizes in three areas of varying distance from the ASARCO smelter. Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mouse) was the most numerous species captured, but both Microtus montanus (mountain vole) and Sorex vagrans (vagrant shrew) were also collected. Total population and juvenile population estimates were considerably higher in the area farthest from the ASARCO smelter. Other data such as reproductive condition, weight and home range also suggested an improved environment with an increased distance from the smelter.
    Degree Awarded
    Bachelor's
    Semester
    Spring
    Department
    Life & Environmental Sciences
    Collections
    • Life and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Theses

    Browse

    All of Carroll ScholarsCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2023  DuraSpace
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV