Analysis of Chemical Elements in Fish Scales
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
16-4-2013 10:00 AM
End Date
16-4-2013 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Michael Bentley
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
In Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, one tends to not think about what chemical elements make up our lakes. Pollution has been a growing concern in our state. Although one may not see the effects directly, by observing other resources we can find what chemical elements are not only found in these waters but also how these elements affect other organisms. Fish scales are plates of bone that show rings with growth patterns according to seasonal cycles. With growth, the bone in the scales incorporates chemical elements. Since very little to no research has been done on fish scales, we began by researching the chemical components and morphology of these scales. To explore the scales chemical elements and morphology, we placed fish scales of different Minnesota species under an electron microscope. We then used energy dispersive spectroscopy to obtain our data needed. Our results concluded the scales chemical components are very similar to those of bone, which is what we hypothesized. We were also able to map out where the chemical elements are in relation to the morphology of the scale. Our results were very essential to be able to understand the fundamentals of a fish scale. By developing this important data, we are able to continue our research in finding potential unwanted chemical elements in fish scales, which will lead us to probable causes of pollution in our lakes.
Analysis of Chemical Elements in Fish Scales
CSU Ballroom
In Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, one tends to not think about what chemical elements make up our lakes. Pollution has been a growing concern in our state. Although one may not see the effects directly, by observing other resources we can find what chemical elements are not only found in these waters but also how these elements affect other organisms. Fish scales are plates of bone that show rings with growth patterns according to seasonal cycles. With growth, the bone in the scales incorporates chemical elements. Since very little to no research has been done on fish scales, we began by researching the chemical components and morphology of these scales. To explore the scales chemical elements and morphology, we placed fish scales of different Minnesota species under an electron microscope. We then used energy dispersive spectroscopy to obtain our data needed. Our results concluded the scales chemical components are very similar to those of bone, which is what we hypothesized. We were also able to map out where the chemical elements are in relation to the morphology of the scale. Our results were very essential to be able to understand the fundamentals of a fish scale. By developing this important data, we are able to continue our research in finding potential unwanted chemical elements in fish scales, which will lead us to probable causes of pollution in our lakes.
Recommended Citation
Sinclair, Callie and Natacha Tasha. "Analysis of Chemical Elements in Fish Scales." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 16, 2013.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2013/poster-session-A/6
