Olivia Skeen, a graduate student in the Marine Estuarine Environmental Science program at UMES, defended her master’s thesis November 11 titled, “An Examination of Metal Contaminant Concentrations in Organs of Mustelus canis (Smooth Dogfish) and Squalus acanthias (Spiny Dogfish) from the Delaware Bay.”
According to Skeen, smooth and spiny dogfish were collected from the Delaware Bay to assess if the dogfish were accumulating metals in their stomach, small intestine, liver, or muscle. The study assumed that metals were entering the dogfish through their diet. “Arsenic suggested accumulation in the muscle and liver of both species of dogfish and cadmium suggested accumulation in the liver of both species of dogfish,” Skeen said. “The information found in this study began to suggest how specific metals are mobilized in dogfish; however, further investigation is needed.”
Dr. Eric May, chaired the advisory committee, comprised of Dr. Deborah Sauder, chair, Department of Natural Sciences, and Dr. Ali Ishaque, associate professor, Department of Natural Science. “This research will have management implications as the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Division is interested in contaminants present in fish in the Delaware Bay,” said May. “The work Ms. Skeen has completed is important for understanding how resident fish are being affected by environmental contamination and if there are risks from human consumption.”
Skeen is a native of Salisbury who received her bachelor’s in environmental science with a concentration in marine science from UMES in 2016. She was a member of the Richard A. Henson Honors Program all four years of her undergraduate experience.
