Currently, there is inadequate information regarding the environmental risks of psychoactive drugs and the standard test protocols do not account for subtle effects. However, psychoactive drugs can contribute to subtle effects by influencing natural communication along the aquatic food chain (infodisruption) or by causing other behavioral changes. For example, presence of antidepressant sertraline interferes with the morphological defense of Daphnia to chemical cues (kairomones) from predator Chaoborus.
The aim of this experiment is to determine infodisruption or alteration in behaviour caused by psychopharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. This will be done by setting up an outdoor mesocosm experiment exposed to kairomones and psychopharmaceutical gradient.
Based on interest and availability students can work on the following topics:
Depending on the topic of interest a background in biological sciences (topic 1), environmental chemistry (topic 2) or aquatic ecology (topic 3) is suitable.
Skillset to be developed:
3-6 months (between June-November 2021).