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“ The Heart of the Bay ”. Research Directions CAPMON System Crab heart rates can be measured using the Computer-Aided Physiological Monitoring (CAPMON) system. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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“The Heart of the BayThe Heart of the Bay”
Dr. Allen R. Place, Center of Marine BiotechnologyMr. Oded Zmora, Center of Marine BiotechnologyMs. Reuwai M. Hanewald, The Park SchoolMr. J. AdamFrederick, Maryland Sea GrantThe College of Exploration, Virginia
Monitoring Stress
Measuring the Heartbeat of the Bay
Monitoring a crab's heartbeat provides an indication of its health, in the same way that a doctor checks a human's pulse.
This monitoring uses a non-invasive scientific technology to assess how well crabs or mussels adapt to stress in the aquatic environment.
A Crab with Heart
Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) has an open circulatory system, the heart circulates hemolymph throughout the body.
A crab’s heart is located dorsally in the center of the carapace and is suspended under the surface of the carapace by strands of connective tissue.
Bioindicators
Marine organisms can be used as bioindicators of aquatic contamination, and may serve as an early warning of pollution in our waters.
The earlier we become aware of aquatic pollution, the better chance we have to control or remediate it.
Stress
•There are natural stressors, such as climate change or food availability, and human-induced stressors, such as pollution or dredging activity. •A crab’s physiological responses can be used to indicate exposure to stress such as pollution or harmful algae.
Research Directions
CAPMON System
Crab heart rates can be measured using the Computer-Aided Physiological Monitoring (CAPMON) system.
This requires placing a sensor on the crab’s shell directly over the heart. An infrared beam from the CAPMON unit is emitted through the shell and on to the heart muscle tissue. As the heart changes shape, the amount of light reflected back to the sensor also changes. A detector measures these changes, and its presented on a computer monitor.
Maryland Sea Grant Summer Research Fellowship
Objectives for 2003
Determine basal heart rate of the blue crabMeasure crabs’ heart rate in changing salinityInvestigate impact of harmful algae on heart rate
Preliminary data
Investigations into the effect of changes in salinity on the heart rate of blue crab are shown below.
Blue Crab Response to Change in Salinity
0.025.050.075.0100.0125.0150.0175.0200.0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Salinity (ppt)
Heart Rate(beats per minute)
The error bars show standard error.
Education Applications
Education Possibilities
Increase understanding of how marine organisms may serve as early indicators of pollution.
Provide an opportunity for students to use authentic research tasks.
Students can make connections between environmental health and water quality and the health of living organisms..
Educational Activities
Collecting organisms in the fieldHands-on monitoring of organisms’ heartbeats in
the labResearching the water quality of local waters
Related Topics
Marine Biology Coastal EcologyEnvironmental ScienceMarine Organisms as Indicators of Ocean HealthLocal and Global Environmental ConcernsInvasive SpeciesHarmful Algal BloomsPublic Health and Water Quality MonitoringAquaculture Physiology of Crabs and Muscles