Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, and Zinc Levels in Crayfish from Southwest Louisiana and Atchafalaya Basin
Date of Award
Fall 12-2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Department
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Major Professor
Dr. Mostofa Sarwar
Second Advisor
Dr. Patricia Williams
Third Advisor
Dr. Tumulesh Solanky
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Mark Zappi
Fifth Advisor
Mr. William Holmes
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in food is a worldwide concern. Man-made ponds are domestic sites in the production of Procambarus clarkii and Procambarus zonangulus, two edible species of crayfish. Ponds may be constructed in former sugar cane or rice fields. Crayfish farming is an ancillary seasonal business within the rice-growing season. The use of products to control insects, pests, and weeds in rice and sugar cane production, may cause an accumulation of heavy metals in the crayfish tail within pond structures. Arsenic, cadmium, copper, and zinc are heavy metals that are absorbed through the roots of and distributed through rice products. Metabolites associated with rice products are absorbed in the human body. Research suggests that metabolites associated with heavy metals cause disease in animals and humans.
Recommended Citation
Hebert, E. Gerald, "Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, and Zinc Levels in Crayfish from Southwest Louisiana and Atchafalaya Basin" (2015). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 2082.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2082
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.