Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center
Aquatic Ecosystem Health
The role of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health program is to conduct research to protect, mitigate, and enhance the health of aquatic ecosystems. Research conducted within the Program is focused on the following 3 areas of study, (1) controlling aquatic invasive species, (2) fisheries restoration, and (3) understanding the impacts of contaminants on aquatic ecosystems.
Forensic Markers of Lampricide Toxicity & Mortality in Non-Target Fishes
The pesticides 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) and niclosamide selectively target larval sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) because they have a much lower capacity to detoxify these lampricides by forming glucuronide conjugates compared to typical non-target fishes. However, if lampricide uptake overwhelms a fish's detoxification capacity, non-target mortality can result. Non-target...
Evaluation of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) as a non-physical deterrent to invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and Rusty Crayfish (Faxonius rusticus)
Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and Rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) are invasive crayfish species in nearly all Great Lakes states (https://nas.er.usgs.gov/viewer/omap.aspx?SpeciesID=217). Both species are a concern in Michigan because they can displace native crayfish populations, their feeding...
Avoidance behavior of larval sea lampreys in response to Bayluscide® as an evaluation of the utility of a Bayluscide® bar formulation in sea lamprey control operations
This study will be conducted to provide information on the avoidance behavior of larval sea lampreys in response to the lampricides 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) and 2’,5-dichloro-4’-nitrosalicylanilide (niclosamide). The data generated will be used to evaluate the feasibility of developing a new lampricide formulation (Bayluscide® Solid Bar) for use in the Great Lakes...
Evaluation of the toxicity of niclosamide to two fresh water mussel species and larval sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) when exposed to granular Bayluscide
Niclosamide (5-chloro-N-[2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl]-2-hydroxybenzamide; NIC) is the active ingredient in the 3.2% granular formulation of Bayluscide® (gB). is applied to assess populations of Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) larva that are too deep to electro fish or remove larva in habitats and too large to treat with liquid formulations of lampricides in a cost effective manner. Concerns...
Five Year Stability Study of Lampricides
Lampricides are usually ordered and produced in large quantities every two or three years depending on projected need. The majority of the lampricides are used within three years. The chemical stability of lampricides stored under normal standard operating procedures is not known beyond three years. Product that has been stored for more than 3 years has to be tested for percent active...
Field Evaluation of Microparticles
With this study, we will validate the use of microparticles to selectively deliver a control agent to feral bigheaded carps. Prior controlled studies conducted in ponds at the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) in Columbia, Missouri indicated that microparticles could be used to deliver antimycin to bigheaded carps while not impacting non-target species like Largemouth Bass and...
Assessment of Open Water Zequanox Applications for Controlling Dreissenid Mussels within an Inland Lake
Invasion of dreissenid mussels (zebra and quagga mussels, Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis bugensis, respectively) into the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins has resulted in estimated economic impacts as high as $1 billion annually for maintenance and repair of biofouled water conveyance systems and other infrastructures (Pimentel et al. 2005).
Screening toxic compounds using cellular assays
This study is designed to be a high-throughput alternative to traditional methods of using whole fish assays to screen compounds for toxicity. This approach involves an initial pre-screening of a chemical databank to select molecules possessing characteristics identified as predictive criteria for potential toxicity to the fathead minnow, followed by cytotoxicity screening of selected...
Evaluation of a broadband sound as a deterrent for bigheaded carps at the Emiquon Preserve (Lewistown, Illinois)
Expansion of bigheaded carps Hypophthalmichthys spp. throughout North American waterways have prompted the need for control systems that can alter their movement and/or behavior. The avoidance response of bigheaded carps to the sound of an outboard motor (0.06-10 kHz) has lead researchers to investigate sound as a means to manipulate their movements.
Evaluation of a method to determine eugenol concentrations in the edible fillet tissue from fish
The results from this study will provide the base for drug residue studies that are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the risk to people that might eat a recently sedated fish. These data will support the potential approval of an immediate release fish sedative that can be efficiently used by fishery managers throughout the U.S.
Evaluation of the efficacy and impact on animal safety when using AQUI-S® 20E (10% eugenol) to sedate cool and warm freshwater-reared finfish during transport
The results from this study will provide data that is necessary to support the potential approval of a sedative that will allow hatcheries to transport fish more efficiently.
Method Transfer Study for the Analytical Method to Determine 17-Amethyltestosterone Concentrations in Fish Feed
The results from this study will provide data that is necessary to support the potential approval of a drug that will allow producers to raise fish more efficiently.