Making Good Marine Mammal Water Better, Testing Relative Toxicity of an Organic Extract of Life Support Water
IAAAM 2017
F. Ed Latson1*; Michael J. Plewa2; Elizabeth D. Wagner2; Jill Arnold3; Joshua Wilhide
1Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Falls, NY, USA; 2University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; 3National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD, USA

Abstract

Current life support technology allows maintenance of marine mammals in clear aesthetically pleasing water while minimizing water loss or change. Efficient filtration and treatment with ozone, chlorine or bromine can minimize the need for water changes needed to meet regulatory requirements while recycling virtually all of the water. It is well understood that overuse of oxidants can cause injury to the animals,1 but effects of disinfection by-products are not well understood. Some disinfection by-products may accumulate over time increasing exposure. This study compared the mammalian cell cytotoxicity of an organic extract of exhibit water before use and from two exhibits, one housing Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and the other housing California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). The assay used Chinese Hamster Ovary cells in tissue culture for the test. These techniques have been used to study cytotoxicity in human recreational pools,2 and in drinking water3,4. There was significantly increased toxicity in the extracts from the exhibit waters than from the new artificial salt water. The sea lion exhibit showed greater toxicity than the dolphin exhibit. This assay could be used to improve life support systems by measuring the cytotoxicity when changes are made to methods for water reuse. The results from this small study using this sensitive test suggest that further improvements can be made in life support systems for marine mammals.

* Presenting author

Literature Cited

1.  Spotte S. 1991. Sterilization of marine mammal pool waters theoretical and health considerations. In: Technical bulletin no. 1797. USDA APHIS. Retrieved from http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/marine_mammals/mmsterile.pdf

2.  Plewa MJ, Wagner ED, Mitch WA. 2011. Comparative mammalian cell cytotoxicity of water concentrates from disinfected recreational pools. Environ Sci Technol. 45:4159–4165.

3.  Plewa MJ, Wagner ED. Mammalian Cell Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Disinfection By-Products. Denver, CO: Water Research Foundation; 2009:134.

4.  Plewa MJ, Kargalioglu Y, Vankerk D, Minear RA, Wagner ED. 2002. Mammalian cell cytotoxicity and genotoxicity analysis of drinking water disinfection by-products. Environ Mol Mutagen. 40:134–142.

  

Speaker Information
(click the speaker's name to view other papers and abstracts submitted by this speaker)

F. Ed Latson
Aquarium of Niagara
Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Central Park Aquatic Health
Buffalo, NY, USA


MAIN : Aquatic Animal Challenges : Making Good Marine Mammal Water Better
Powered By VIN
SAID=27