Combined effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on the physiology of aquatic animals

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Human industrial and economic activities generate a wide range of environmental impacts. In particular, metal mining and smelting have released large quantities of metals in the environment that have contaminated freshwater systems and caused toxicity to wildlife. Human activities are also modifying our climate by increasing mean temperatures and modifying the cycle of water, hence impacting on water level, temperature and oxygenation. This research uses biochemical, physiological and genomic approaches to study fish and aquatic invertebrates found in Canadian freshwater ecosystems and which are vulnerable to metal contamination and climate change. Through a combination of laboratory experiments and field sampling, the research examines the mechanisms of toxicity of metals and the combined effects of natural stressors like temperature and hypoxia on the stress response and tolerance of these organisms. Aquatic resources in general, and fish in particular, are of high economic value in Canada. Knowledge generated by this research program will contribute to a better understanding of the impacts of human activities on aquatic organisms and will improve our capacity to protect them based on sound science.