Project
Oxygen consumption as a non-lethal proxy for determining the sensitivity of non-target fishes to TFM
Controlling sea lamprey populations often involves treating rivers with a chemical called TFM, which targets lamprey larvae hiding in river sediments. TFM works by disrupting the lamprey’s ability to produce energy at the cellular level, making them especially vulnerable because they can’t detoxify the chemical as well as other fish. However, TFM can also harm non-target species if used in high concentrations. Currently, the only way to test how sensitive these species are to TFM is through lethal dose-response tests. Recent research suggests that measuring a fish’s metabolic rate (how much oxygen it consumes) could be a non-lethal way to assess TFM’s impact. In sea lamprey, exposure to TFM increases their metabolic rate before it becomes lethal. This study aims to see if the same pattern holds true for non-target species. If successful, this approach could offer a safer, real-time way to monitor how these species react to TFM treatments, potentially serving as an early warning system to prevent accidental overdoses.\\r\\n