Calcium and Phosphorus Concentrations and Scale Ring Number in Relation to Fish Length

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

18-4-2016 10:00 AM

End Date

18-4-2016 11:30 AM

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

Fish scales are bone like structures composed of elements such as calcium and phosphorous in varying concentrations. Like trees, fish scales have growth rings because of seasonal changes. Fish scales grow slower in the winter and faster in the summer because of food availability and water temperatures, giving them ring-like appearances. This experiment is going to help us see the relationship between fish length and their calcium/ phosphorus composition. We will also be able to see if the fish scales have any contaminants such as lead from the environment they lived in. We will take individual scale samples from various fish lengths and observe them under a light microscope in order to get an approximate ring count for each scale. Then, using a Scanning Electron Microscope we will be able to take pictures of fish scales in order to have a more accurate count of the fish scale rings, to measure concentrations of calcium/ phosphorus. Based on the research we have acquired, fish length and the number of rings have a direct correlation. Our findings will help us in determining scale calcium, phosphorus, and other element concentrations based on their environments. Number of rings on fish scale is affected by length of fish, and the presence of other elements and contaminants does not correlate with size.

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Apr 18th, 10:00 AM Apr 18th, 11:30 AM

Calcium and Phosphorus Concentrations and Scale Ring Number in Relation to Fish Length

CSU Ballroom

Fish scales are bone like structures composed of elements such as calcium and phosphorous in varying concentrations. Like trees, fish scales have growth rings because of seasonal changes. Fish scales grow slower in the winter and faster in the summer because of food availability and water temperatures, giving them ring-like appearances. This experiment is going to help us see the relationship between fish length and their calcium/ phosphorus composition. We will also be able to see if the fish scales have any contaminants such as lead from the environment they lived in. We will take individual scale samples from various fish lengths and observe them under a light microscope in order to get an approximate ring count for each scale. Then, using a Scanning Electron Microscope we will be able to take pictures of fish scales in order to have a more accurate count of the fish scale rings, to measure concentrations of calcium/ phosphorus. Based on the research we have acquired, fish length and the number of rings have a direct correlation. Our findings will help us in determining scale calcium, phosphorus, and other element concentrations based on their environments. Number of rings on fish scale is affected by length of fish, and the presence of other elements and contaminants does not correlate with size.

Recommended Citation

Ngede, Keith and Eloy Gallegos. "Calcium and Phosphorus Concentrations and Scale Ring Number in Relation to Fish Length." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 18, 2016.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2016/poster-session-A/1