Date of Award
2009
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
M.Sc.
Department
Biological Sciences
Keywords
Biology, Ecology.
Supervisor
Higgs, Dennis (Biological Sciences)
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems are threatened by environmental contaminants and many heavy metals can influence the structure and function of vital sense organs in fishes. The current study examines cadmium effects on the auditory system in cyprinid fishes. In the lab, fish were exposed for 96h to a range of cadmium concentrations. Both hearing sensitivity and hair cell morphology were quantified. While hair cell numbers were unaffected, cadmium caused an increase in auditory threshold, with a critical range for toxic cadmium effects estimated at 2.1-2.9ug/L. In the field, fish were collected along the Detroit River to assess if differences in cadmium effects exist between sites. No differences in hair cell number or hearing sensitivity were observed between field sites. The current study demonstrates sub-lethal effects of cadmium on fish sensory function while also pointing to the need for more careful interpretation of cadmium impacts on aquatic populations.
Recommended Citation
Low, Jennifer, "Sub-lethal effects of cadmium on auditory structure and function in the fathead (Pimephales promelas) and bluntnose (Pimephales notatus) minnows" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 292.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/292