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TitleDevelopment of a bioassay to assess the toxicity of oil sands sediments to pike (Esox lucius) (PO)
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsTurcotte, D., Yuan H., Raine J., Tumber V., & Parrott J.
Publication Languageeng
Keywordsanalytical methodology, federal government, fish, laboratory, sediment, toxicity, UofS
Abstract

Pike (Esox lucius) are a commercially sought fish species that inhabit the Athabasca River, which flows through the Athabasca oil sands. The fish are exposed to natural sources of bitumen from the McMurray formation. This study was conducted to design and implement a daily-renewal bioassay to assess the toxicity of oil sands to this fish species and to obtain information regarding the development of pike exposed to bitumen. Eggs were collected and fertilized with milt from spawning wild pike captured from Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan. The fertilized eggs were exposed to different concentrations of sediments or culture water only (negative controls) until complete yolk absorption of control fish, approximately 15 days post-hatch. For the rest of the experiment, brine shrimp were fed to the walleye embryos every day after hatching. The developing fish were examined for morphological deformities, survival, hatching success, and changes in weight and length. The research findings indicated that pike is less sensitive than walleye and fathead minnow to the toxicity of oil sands sediments.

Notes

IN: Proceedings of the 37th Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop October 3-62010 Toronto Ontario. Fletcher T. D. Holdway D. Simmons M. Dutton and L.E. Burridge (Eds). Fisheries and Oceans Canada St. Andrews New Brunswick. Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/345732.pdf

Locational Keywords

Athabasca River

Group

OSEMB

Citation Key52024

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