Using developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) to examine the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of zinc: The implications for assessing zinc contamination in freshwater systems

Increasing concentrations of zinc (Zn) in freshwater aquatic systems around the world have created concern for the many inhabitants of these environments. Zebrafish throughout various developmental stages were exposed to sublethal environmentally relevant concentrations of waterborne and dietary Zn. My research showed that exposures to Zn significantly decreased the survival of the larvae, while also disrupting the homeostasis of several essential trace metals and major ions (i.e., copper, nickel, manganese, calcium). Furthermore, Zn transporters which displayed spatial-specific expression were shown to exhibit complex regulatory patterns dependent on exposure route of Zn and developmental age. Overall, my research showed that developing fish are sensitive to the elevated levels of Zn seen in polluted environments and that future ecological risk management would benefit from incorporating the impacts and parameters assessed in our study (i.e. life stage and exposure route) when developing new environmental guidelines.