PARR-2011-M-02
Dose-responses for non-target crustaceans based on semi-natural laboratory and field-based mesocosm exposures to chemotherapeutants

The challenge of understanding the potential risk of pesticides in the aquatic environment originates with the affinity of some pesticides to bind to organic matter in the water column and sediments. This binding obscures the interpretation of lab-based exposure studies of pesticides in non-target crustaceans.  In situ field studies, also known as mesocosms, make it possible to measure the effects of natural sea water and sediments on the dose-response in non-target crustaceans such as lobster and mysid shrimp.  Adopting an approach that will compare laboratory and in situ mesocosm results will offer validation to dose responses that are normally only measured under controlled laboratory conditions.  This approach enables a better, more thorough, understanding of how components of the natural environment interact with the chemical treatments.

Principal investigator: J. Andrew Cooper, St. Andrews Biological Station, 531 Brandy Cove Road, St. Andrews, NB; Tel.: (506) 529-5894; Email: Andrew.Cooper@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Team members: Les Burridge, DFO-Maritimes region, SABS; Shawn Robinson, DFO-Maritimes region, SABS; Marc Blanchard, DFO-Maritimes region, SABS; Monica Lyons, DFO-Maritimes region, SABS; David Wong, DFO-Maritimes region, SABS; Greg Tomy, FWI; Vince Palace, DFO-Central and Arctic region

1-year project (2011/12)