title: Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) detection, avoidance, and chemosensory effects of oil sands process-affected water.
abstract: Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) - a byproduct of the oil sands industry in Northern Alberta, Canada - is currently stored in on-site tailings ponds. The goal of the present study was to investigate the interaction of OSPW with the olfactory system and olfactory-mediated behaviours of fish upon the first encounter with OSPW. The response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to different concentrations (0.1, 1, and 10%) of OSPW was studied using a choice maze and electro-olfactography (EOG), respectively. The results of the present study showed that rainbow trout are capable of detecting and avoiding OSPW at a concentration as low as 0.1%. Exposure to 1% OSPW impaired (i.e. reduced sensitivity) the olfactory response of rainbow trout to alarm and food cues within 5 min or less. The results of the present study demonstrated that fish could detect and avoid minute concentrations of OSPW. However, if fish were exposed to OSPW-contaminated water and unable to escape, their olfaction would be impaired.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada. Electronic address: e.lari82@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lari
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
authors.forename: Greg G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Pyle
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D002170:Canada; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D061329:Oil and Gas Fields; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss / Q000502:physiology*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014867:Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water
keywords: Avoidance; Behaviour; Feeding; OSPW; Olfaction; Rainbow trout