Model organisms are often used in ecotoxicological studies and environmental risk assessments; however, species differences in responses to toxicants exist. A meta-analysis identified normal biomarker ranges for rainbow trout (RT) and brook trout (BT), and showed that RT had greater whole-body lipids and plasma T4 levels than BT. Exposure to selenium inhibited cortisol secretion of trout adrenocortical cells; however, RT were more sensitive than BT. To investigate species vulnerability at the individual level, RT and BT were stocked into reference and selenium-contaminated pit lakes. Fish accumulated more Se from selenium-contaminated than reference lakes, and selenium accumulation was similar between species. Chronic selenium exposure had a greater energetic cost for RT than BT, but this was mitigated by food availability. Chronic selenium exposure decreased plasma T3 and T4 levels, but did not alter other endocrine or oxidative stress biomarkers. This project highlights the need for both species- and site-specific risk assessments. / xiv, 171 leaves : ill., maps ; 29 cm
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:ALU.w.uleth.ca/dspace#10133/2622 |
Date | January 2011 |
Creators | Miller, Lana L, University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science |
Contributors | Hontela, Alice |
Publisher | Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences, c2011, Arts and Science, Department of Biological Sciences |
Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
Language | en_US |
Detected Language | English |
Type | Thesis |
Relation | Thesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science) |
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