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Coy_4.15.2020_2.pdf (1.23 MB)

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water and Bluegill and its relationship to swimming performance and histology

Coy, Carrie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu158703408453293

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) can be found in many household, industrial, and personal care products, including furniture, aqueous film forming foam, and sunscreen. Many recent studies have shown PFAS in surface waters and aquatic organisms around the world. PFAS levels are higher near contamination sources, such as the Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan, USA. Unexpectedly, PFAS levels have not biomagnified in Clark’s Marsh near Wurtsmith Air Force Base, a known PFAS source to the surrounding environment. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in Clark’s Marsh have higher PFAS levels than their predators, however, the reasons and effects of these high levels are unknown. To investigate these effects, Bluegill were sampled in various inland lakes and rivers in Michigan with differing PFAS concentrations. Bluegill were individually tested for critical swimming speed, and liver and gill histology. The data was analyzed to determine differences between PFAS effects at different sites and with different levels of PFAS. We hypothesized higher PFAS levels would relate to higher extent of liver vacuoles, more prevalent gill alterations, and slower swimming speeds. Results show decreased and increased swimming speeds at different PFAS levels, and increased liver vacuoles and abnormal gill morphology with increased PFAS levels. While there’s no consensus in the literature regarding swimming behavior after PFAS exposure, decreased swimming performance may have been caused by the histological alterations exhibited due to decreased oxygen uptake and organ dysfunction. The increased lesions in both liver and gill tissues were consistent with ecotoxicological literature, especially that of organophosphate pesticides. This research showed how individual fish were impacted by environmentally relevant PFAS concentrations which also cause widespread effects on aquatic communities.
Paul Moore, PhD (Advisor)
Tammy Newcomb, PhD (Committee Member)
Louise Stevenson, PhD (Committee Member)
59 p.
Environmental Studies
perfluoroalkyl substances; PFAS; PFOS; PFOA; fish histology; Clarks Marsh; Au Sable River; PFAS in Michigan; fish behavior; swimming speed; Wurtsmith

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Coy, C. (2020). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water and Bluegill and its relationship to swimming performance and histology [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu158703408453293

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Coy, Carrie. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water and Bluegill and its relationship to swimming performance and histology. 2020. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu158703408453293.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Coy, Carrie. "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water and Bluegill and its relationship to swimming performance and histology." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu158703408453293

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu158703408453293
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© 2020, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface water and Bluegill and its relationship to swimming performance and histology by Carrie Coy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.