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The impact of a benthic omnivore on the biomagnification of mercury in top-predator fish

Bowling, Anna Marie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1250890267

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Science, Miami University, Zoology.
Crayfish, as benthic omnivores, have the potential to be a link between the benthic and pelagic systems by feeding on fish carcasses and being prey to top-predator fish. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of crayfish on the biomagnification of methylmercury (MeHg) in top-predator fish, by combining a field study, controlled laboratory studies, and a mathematical model. The results of the field study were inconclusive and this was mainly due to the fact that all sites had the same relative abundance of crayfish and that we were not able to collect all species of top-predator fish. Laboratory experiments supported our prediction that largemouth bass would assimilate MeHg more efficiently from MeHg-dosed crayfish than from MeHg-dosed artificial food. Model projections of laboratory results supported our prediction that MeHg biomagnification would be highest in the presence of a feedback cycle between crayfish and top-predator fish.
James Oris, PhD (Advisor)
Chad Hammerschmidt, PhD (Committee Member)
Lawrence Barnthouse, PhD (Committee Member)
David Berg, PhD (Committee Member)
47 p.
Environmental Science; Freshwater Ecology; Toxicology
mercury; methylmercury; biomagnification; crayfish; largemouth bass; fish; omnivory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bowling, A. M. (2009). The impact of a benthic omnivore on the biomagnification of mercury in top-predator fish [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1250890267

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bowling, Anna. The impact of a benthic omnivore on the biomagnification of mercury in top-predator fish. 2009. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1250890267.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bowling, Anna. "The impact of a benthic omnivore on the biomagnification of mercury in top-predator fish." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1250890267

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1250890267
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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.