A toxicity warning monitor using the weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersi
1984; Elsevier BV; Volume: 18; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0043-1354(84)90034-4
ISSN1879-2448
Autores Tópico(s)Electrochemical Analysis and Applications
ResumoA technically simple fish monitor was developed using the weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersi, as the test organism. The test system consists of a plexiglass test chamber (21., 27°C) with a flow-through of 4–5 times the chamber volume per hour. The spontaneous electric organ discharges (EOD) are recorded as activity signals. EODs, which have a potential of about 500 mV, last 0.3 ms and they can be converted to computer-compatible signals by a simple amplifier. The EOD-activity is analyzed by a low-cost desk-top computer. Two different modes of analysis which represent two levels of response sensitivity, are possible either alternatively or simultaneously. The toxicity response of Gnathonemus petersi was measured in experiments with the toxicants Hg2+, Cu2+, NaAsO2 and CN−. The sensitivity to acutely toxic concentrations was found to be as high as that of trout or minnows.
Referência(s)