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Zoology

Masters Theses

Eastern Illinois University

1967

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Studies On The Effects Of Toxic Materials On The Respiration Rate Of Tubificidae, Richard A. Sikora Jan 1967

Studies On The Effects Of Toxic Materials On The Respiration Rate Of Tubificidae, Richard A. Sikora

Masters Theses

A study was made to determine the effect of lead, nickel and pentachlorophenol, at varying pH levels, on the respiration rate of this family of aquatic oligochaetes. Respiration was measured as the ul. of oxygen consumer per mg. of live tissue per hour of exposure.

Worms were found to decrease their rate of respiration in the presence of lead nitrate. This was demonstrated at three pH levels: 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5. It was concluded that this drop was due to the action of lead on the enzymes of the metabolic systems and on the characteristic of lead which stimulates the …