Multichannel respirometer with fiber optic dissolved oxygen sensors

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The funding requested in this grant application is to support the purchase of a multi-channel dissolved oxygen meter, dissolved oxygen sensors, and four micro-respirometers. Oxygen consumption measurements are useful as they integrate whole animal performance. The requested respirometry system will allow us to measure oxygen consumption and calculate the metabolic rate of fish and aquatic invertebrates. Metabolic rate in aquatic animals is dependent on environmental factors such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water quality, but is also affected by stage of development. In fish, energy during larval development is limited by yolk supply, which must be partitioned among growth, development and activity. Metabolic trade-offs experienced by larval fish may arise when energy reserves necessary for growth and development are used for activity associated with movement or increased energy to compensate for stress. Traditionally, diversity of aquatic insects in fluvial systems has been used as an indicator of environmental quality. For example, stonefly larvae are sensitive to low dissolved oxygen and their absence from streams has been used as an indicator of organic pollution, but such coarse indices have limited utility when watershed disturbances are incremental. Changes in metabolic rate, however, are sensitive indicators of environmental conditions that stress animals. Metabolic rate measures, therefore, will enhance our ability to detect deterioration in environmental quality before population numbers are impacted. The research to be supported by the requested equipment represent novel approaches for us to better understand the physiological response of aquatic animals to varying environmental variables. Such knowledge is needed to better manage aquatic ecosystems affected by natural and anthropogenic changes. The requested equipment will also play an essential role in training and thesis completion for both undergraduate and graduate students. We anticipate four MSc and four BSc students will benefit from the requested equipment within the first three years.