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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2006

What is science?

In 2000 The Ohio Academy of Science published its definition of "Science." Response to this definition led the Academy to produce a position paper entitled What is Science? The Academy officially adopted the position paper version of What is Science?, http: //www.ohiosci.org/ Whatisscience.pdf, at the April 2004 Ohio Academy of Science Annual Meeting. Response to this fact sheet demonstrated a need to further expand this document. Thus, this expanded version builds on the April 2004 position paper, What is Science? This paper clarifies what is science, the scientific method, a scientific hypothesis, a scientific theory, the importance of science, and what is not science.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS1965

A recent occurrence of thermal stratification and low dissolved oxygen in western Lake Erie

Instances of thermal stratification have been detected only occasionally in western Lake Erie during the past 40 years, but when it does occur it is of considerable importance because of associated dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion in the hypolimnion. Data collected in June of 1963 give an indication of the meteorological conditions necessary to produce this thermal stratification. These conditions are: daily wind speed of less than 3.1 m/sec (7 mph); highest wind speed of less than 6.7 m/sec (15 mph); and an average daily temperature of more than 18.5 C for approximately 5 consecutive days. Weather records for Sandusky, Ohio, show these conditions to have occurred on 33 separate occasions between 1953 and 1963. These data suggest stable thermal stratification occurs more frequently than heretofore suspected. The 1963 data also show that in only 5 days of stratification DO in the hypolimnion was reduced to less than 3 ppm, whereas 28 days were required in 1953. This increased rate of DO depletion is probably due to an increase in the oxygen demand of the bottom sediment in recent years.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS1967

Biology of the freshwater drum in western Lake Erie

Information on the biology of the freshwater drum or sheepshead ( Aplodinotus grunniens ) was collected in Lake Erie during a fishery and limnological study made by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in 1957 and 1958. Growth of the sheepshead in 1958 was slower than in 1927, and slower than the growth in most other waters. Males and females grew at the same rate through the 4th year of life, but thereafter the females grew faster. Males required more than 13 years and females 11 years to reach 17 inches. A weight of 2 pounds was attained in the 12th year of life by males and in the 10th year by females. Annulus formation extended from mid-June to early August for age-groups I-IV (2nd through 5th year of life). Younger fish started growth earlier in the season than the older fish, and the larger, faster growing members of an age group began growth earlier than the smaller fish. The growing season in 1958 ended in early October. Bottom-water temperatures were about 65A?F when growth started (mid-June) and 58A°F when growth ended. Growth was most rapid in August when temperatures were highest for the year (72A?F). Growth of young of the year, but not of older fish, was positively correlated with temperature during the 1951-57 growing seasons. The sex ratio of the 1958 samples shifted with age; age-groups I-IV contained 54% males, but older age groups had 75% males. Males matured between 7.0 and 15.9 inches (age-groups II-V) and females between 9.0 and 13.4 inches (age-groups III-VII). Spawning in 1958 reached a peak in early July, but extended from mid-June to early August.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS1970

An annotated list of the fishes of Lake Erie and its tributary waters exclusive of the Detroit River

Dramatic fluctuations have occurred in the abundance of many species in Lake Erie and its tributary waters in the last century. Some fishes of former economic importance have become commercially extinct. Several species apparently have been extirpated, especially in the tributaries. It is believed that further changes in the abundance of other species will occur in the near future. This publication consolidates the confirmed records of fish species for Lake Erie and its tributaries. One hundred and thirty-eight species of fishes are listed and, where appropriate, brief comments on present and past distribution and abundance and economic status are given. Selected references are listed as additional sources of information for each species.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS1975

Predation by fish on walleye eggs on a spawning reef in western Lake Erie, 1969-71

Nearly 2,000 fish representing 21 species were captured with experimental gillnets on Kelleys Island Shoal during the spawning and incubation periods of walleyes (Stizostedion v. vitreum) in 1969-71. A total of 794 stomachs were examined. Four species contained walleye eggs: yellow perch (Perca flavescens), spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius), stonecat (Noturus flavus) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni). Yellow perch were by far the most consistent predators of walleye eggs, and spent female perch consumed more eggs than did males. The average number of walleye eggs in perch stomachs collected on any one day ranged from 36 to 734 for females and from 4 to 237 for males. The loss of walleye eggs due to fish predation appeared to be significant only when the rate of water warming slowed or stopped, thereby creating an extended overlap in the walleye-yellow perch reproductive period. Only under the uncommon condition of an extended time interval between walleye hatching and perch spawning, coupled with the presence of a large quantity of actively feeding perch, could egg predation reduce walleye reproductive success.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS1968

Distribution and abundance of the Japanese snail, Viviparus japonicus, and associated macrobenthos in Sandusky Bay, Ohio

A survey of the macrobenthos of Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, in June, 1963, provided information on the abundance and distribution of the introduced Japanese snail, Viviparus japonicus, which has become a nuisance to commercial seine fishermen. The abundance and distribution varied considerably within the bay; at the time of the survey, most snails were found near the north-central shore. Environmental characteristics were nearly uniform and had no apparent effect on the distribution; concentrations in different areas at different times appeared to result from water movements induced by winds. The time of the study coincided with a period of reproduction; young-of-the-year snails were most abundant in areas where adults were most common. The frequency distributions of shell height and diameter suggested the presence of two age groups of adults in the population. Considerable natural mortality was seen, both at the time of the study and in other seasons. Only three other gastropods were observed in the bay; the most abundant was another viviparid, Campeloma decisum. Other mollusks present were four species of Sphaeriidae and 18 species of Unionidae. A summary of invertebrates found, other than the mollusks, is also presented.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS2011

Evaluation of the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) seismic method to determine sediment thickness in the vicinity of the South Well Field, Franklin County, OH

The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) seismic method involves analyzing measurements of ambient seismic noise in three dimensions to determine the fundamental site resonance frequency. Resonance is excited by the interaction of surface waves (Rayleigh and Love) and body waves (vertically incident shear) with the high-contrast aconstic impedance boundary at the bedrock-sediment interface. Measurements were made to determine the method's utility for estimating thickness of unconsolidated glacial sediments at 18 locations at the South Well Field, Franklin County, OH, and at six locations in Pickaway County where sediment thickness was already known. Measurements also were made near a high-capacity production well (with pumping on and off) and near a highway and a limestone quarry to examine changes in resonance frequencies over a 20-hour period. Although the regression relation for resonance frequency and sediment thickness had a relatively low [r.sup.2] (0.322), estimates of sediment thickness were, on average, within 14 percent of known thicknesses. Resonance frequencies for pumping on and pumping off were identical, although the amplitude of the peak was nearly double under pumping conditions. Resonance frequency for the 20-hour period did not change, but the amplitude of the peak changed considerably, with a maximum amplitude in the early afternoon and minimum in the very early morning hours. Clay layers within unconsolidated sediments may influence resonance frequency and the resulting regression equation, resulting in underestimation of sediment thickness; however, despite this and other complicating factors, hydrogeologists should consider this method when thickness data are needed for unconsolidated sediments.

Ohio↗
USGS1991

Areal extent, hydrogeologic characteristics, and possible origins of the carbonate rock Newburg Zone (Middle-Upper Silurian) in Ohio

The zone occurs in carbonate rocks of Middle to Late Silurian age across much of Ohio. Known also to well drillers as the "Second Water' in the "Big Lime' carbonate sequence, the Newburg zone is a source of hydrocarbons in northeast Ohio, brines in southeast Ohio, and a widespread source of water over much of west-central Ohio. Close to recharge areas, the quality of the water is comparable to that of the overlying carbonate rocks; thus, the Newburg zone warrants further investigation as a source of water for domestic use. Theories for the porosity and permeabilty of the Newburg zone include: 1) deposition of carbonate or quartz sand along an erosional surface and later lithified to porous and permeable sandstone; 2) dissolution of fossils within Silurian reef complexes; 3) fracture-induced porosity along thrust faults developed during the Alleghenian orogeny; and 4) a combination of these processes. -from Authors

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS2000

Fractures and their distribution in the tills of Ohio

Fractures in till may be horizontal, parallel high- to low-angle, or polygonal (when viewed on a horizontal surface). They have been attributed to several geologic processes, the most important of which are desiccation, freeze-thaw, glaciotectonics, and lodgement till deposition. A literature review, a field study, and core examinations have identified many areas in Ohio where fractures are relatively common. All types of fractures are present within the state, but the depths, relative abundance of types, and their concentrations differ among physiographic regions.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS2000

Characterization methods for fractured glacial tills

This paper provides a literature review of methods successfully employed to characterize finegrained and fractured or unfractured glacial deposits. Descriptions and examples are given for four major categories of characterization methods: physical, hydraulic, chemical, and indirect. Characterization methods have evolved significantly within the past ten years; however, there still exists uncertainty about the reliability of individual characterization methods applied to till deposits. Therefore, a combination of methods is best, the choice of which depends on the objectives of the work. Sampling methods, sampling scales, and reporting methods are extremely important and should be considered when interpreting and comparing results between sites. Recognition of these issues is necessary to ensure that decisions regarding the transport of fluids in fractured tills are not based on the assumption that poorly permeable tills are always an inhibitor of subsurface flow.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS2003

Difficulties in determining factors that influence effective groundwater recharge in Ohio

As part of a COSI Academy research project, data from a recent statewide analysis of effective groundwater recharge were reexamined by students to further discern relations between recharge and selected environmental characteristics of individual drainage basins: 1) location of the main stem of a river relative to coarse and fine surficial sediments and 2) influence of land use. Lack of sufficiently detailed data was the principal difficulty in most phases of the examination. Other than a potential relation between recharge and the percentages of agricultural and forested land, no relations were found in visual comparisons of mapped and tabulated data.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS1991

Effects of roadside habitat and fox density on a snow track survey for foxes in Ohio

Many methods have been used to survey red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and gray fox (Urocyon dnereoargenteus) populations. However, none has proven entirely satisfactory, and wild foxes remain one of the most difficult economically important wildlife species to monitor. In this study we evaluated the reliability of a snow track survey method for foxes by investigating whether the average number of road crossings per fox is influenced by changes in roadside habitat or changes in fox density. Several snow track surveys were conducted in two Ohio counties during January and February, 1984. Data on roadside habitat, relative fox densities, and fox crossings were collected. Results suggested that changes in roadside habitat could influence the average number of crossings per fox and, therefore, changes in the index could occur independent of actual population changes. We found no evidence that crossings per fox varied with fox density, but further research is needed to substantiate this finding.

Ohio Journal of Science↗