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dc.contributor.advisorJeffries, Marlo K.
dc.contributor.authorNystrom, Gunnar
dc.date2017-05-19
dc.date.accessioned2017-06-30T16:22:01Z
dc.date.available2017-06-30T16:22:01Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/19860
dc.description.abstractThe Syr Darya, one of the largest rivers in southern Kazakhstan, is a major source of freshwater feeding the Aral Sea. In the 1950s, water was diverted from the Syr Darya to support agricultural production leading to the drying of the Aral Sea, which has been characterized as one of the worst environmental catastrophes in modern day history. Mismanagement of these diverted waters has paved the way for potential surface water contamination in the Aral Sea Basin. While efforts to revive the Aral Sea are underway, few investigations have sought to assess the impacts of potential heavy metal contamination in the Syr Darya Watershed. As such, the goal of this study was to assess the presence and biological effects of heavy metal contaminants in the Syr Darya. This was accomplished by collecting water and sediment samples from five sites and roach (Rutilus rutilus) samples from three sites along the Syr Darya. Water, sediment, and roach muscle tissue samples were analyzed for a suite of contaminants, while roach liver, brain, gonad, and gill tissues were analyzed for the expression of genes considered to be biomarkers of heavy metal exposures (e.g., metallothionein and superoxide dismutase). Water and fish muscle tissue analysis revealed the presence of multiple heavy metals above local regulatory limits. Roach fish from two of the three sites experienced alterations in the expression of genes considered biomarkers of contaminant exposure, suggesting that chemical loads at some of the sites in the Syr Darya were sufficient to induce biological effects. Data collected as part of this study will be utilized to complete an ecological risk assessment of the Syr Darya River basin.
dc.subjecttoxicology biomarkers heavy metals Syr Darya
dc.titleCause for concern: Biological implications of heavy metal contamination in Kazakhstan's Syr Darya river
etd.degree.departmentBiology
local.collegeCollege of Science and Engineering
local.collegeJohn V. Roach Honors College
local.departmentBiology


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