addressing indigenous community concerns of lake health by assessing water quality in constance lake, on and biomarker responses in freshwater mussels, pyganodon grandis and lampsilis siliquoidea
abstract
constance lake first nation has had concerns regarding the health of a culturally
significant lake, constance lake, for several years. there are several external stressors to
this lake including urbanization and forestry, and as a result the community has stopped
utilizing the lake for cultural and recreational purposes. to investigate these concerns,
specifically regarding eutrophication and algal blooms, this study examined water
chemistry and biomarker responses pertaining to energy and stress in freshwater mussels
lampsilis siliquoidea and pyganodon grandis. the purpose was to determine current
trophic status and potential for future algal blooms, as well as determine stress levels in
mussels from eutrophication. studies on glycogen levels over the winter season also
provided some insight into overwintering strategies for freshwater mussels. indigenous
knowledge from constance lake first nation was used to guide this study, and tissue
from the gills and foot of mussels were assayed to determine levels of glycogen and lipid
peroxidation, specifically 4-hydroxynonenal. it was found that constance lake is still in
a eutrophic state and has the potential to produce harmful cyanobacterial blooms for
years to come. [...]