Simon Fraser University
Our Research
SFU researchers are investigating whether conductivity pulses impact the health and/or survival of benthic invertebrate populations by conducting laboratory and simulated stream studies
MAIN FINDINGS
Chironomus dilutus road salt exposure
Chironomids were exposed to a continuous salt exposure or pulses of salt at four different temperatures for ten days. Generally, continuous exposures to road salt resulted in greater mortality compared to pulsed exposures. Additionally, pulse treatment groups had an increasing trend in LC50s with decreasing temperatures, hence lowered mortality in cooler waters.
(Kurt Guo, SFU)
The LC50 for a pollutant or toxin is the lethal concentration at which there is 50% mortality of test organisms.
A HIGHER LC50 = LOWER TOXICITY OF A SUBSTANCE
Hyalella (amphipods) and chironomids (midges) are native to freshwater ecosystems throughout Canada.
They are a valuable food source for our Pacific salmon!
Hyalella road salt exposure
Hyalella were exposed to either a continuous salt exposure or pulses of salt at two different temperatures for fourteens days. There were no significant differences in the effects of temperature in either salt exposures. However, the continuous salt exposure resulted in greater mortality compared to the pulse exposures.
(Kurt Guo, SFU)
RESEARCH TEAM
Dr. Vicki Marlatt
Associate Professor of Environmental Toxicology, SFU
Dr. Marlatt’s interests are interdisciplinary and her research entails environmental toxicology, endocrinology, animal physiology, and molecular biology/toxicology in vertebrate and invertebrate models.
Dr. Chris Kennedy
Professor of Biology & Toxicology, SFU
Dr. Kennedy’s research program is focused on the lethal and sublethal effects of a variety of environmental contaminants including metals, pesticides, and petroleum products on both freshwater and marine organisms. Most of his work has been on fish, and in particular, Pacific salmonids. He also studies the fate of chemicals in the environment, and the factors (temperature, salinity) that affect the accumulation of harmful chemicals in wildlife.
Kurt Guo
Master Student, SFU
"My involvement in the Road Salt project is to evaluate whether salt pulses in the streams due to winter salting events can cause toxicological effects in key salmon prey items, including chironomid (Chironomus dilutus) larvae and amphipod (Hyalella azteca)"
Mohammad Javad Saberi
PhD Candidate, SFU
"I got my Master's degree in environmental science and engineering from Shahid Beheshti University in Iran. My research interest revolves around environmental toxicology and aquatic ecology. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student at Simon Fraser University, and I am thrilled to be part of this exciting Road Salt and Salmon project. My research focuses on conducting stream mesocosm exposures of benthic invertebrates to assess the impacts
of road salt on key salmon prey."
Sofia Ahmed
Master Student, SFU
"I am an Environmental Science graduate from the University of Calgary and I am currently pursing my Master of Environmental Toxicology at Simon Fraser University. I have experience working within geography and environmental microbiology research labs. My research interests include toxicology, water quality, aquatic ecology, and bioremediation. Within the Road Salt Project, I will be studying the short-term and long-term toxicological impacts of road salts on juvenile salmon prey - specifically benthic invertebrates such as mayflies and scuds. Winter water temperatures and a pulsed exposure will also be used to mimic the road salt pulses observed in Vancouver Lower Mainland streams."
Andy Ip
Master Student, SFU
"As a student in Environmental Toxicology, I am excited to participate in the Road Salt project. My research will investigate the toxicological effects of road salts on young salmon prey, specifically Tubifex worms and mosquitoes. The experiment will also simulate the winter conditions typical of the Vancouver Lower Mainland area, including temperature and road salt pulses."