Lobster Contaminants
Title
Screening the Levels of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Chromium, Zinc, Mercury, and Thallium in the Traditional Food-Lobster of Eel River Bar First Nation
Description
The purpose of this project was to examine the concentrations of heavy metal contaminants: cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury as well as chromium, thallium and zinc within the lobster traditionally consumed by the Mi’gmaq of Eel River Bar, New Brunswick.
A total of 44 lobsters we tested, where 22 were cooked and 22 were raw. Due to high laboratory analysis costs, a decision was made to test both lobster meat and tomalley together for each lobster.
The mean concentrations for all 44 lobsters were found to be lower than the maximum allowed levels according to International standards for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. However, when observing the levels of heavy metals in individual lobsters, five (5) lobster had levels of cadmium that were in excess of its respecting International standard of 0.5 mg/kg set by the Commission of the European Communities. There were no International standards identified for chromium, thallium and zinc in lobster. There was no observed correlation on the concentrations of heavy metals between raw and cooked lobster.
Project Details
- Year: 2011-2012
- Status: Complete
- Project Funding Source: Health Canada – RFNCP
Files:
Battery Recycling
Did you know?
GINU runs a battery recycling program year round. As part of the collection program, we accept household batteries (no car batteries) and old cell phones. You can drop off your items to our office located at 1 Marshall Way in Listuguj. Thank you for your efforts in helping leave a lighter footprint on Mother Earth!
GINU Welcomes Summer Students
This year, the Gespe’gewa’gi Institute of Natural Understanding (GINU) welcomed two summer students. Ayden Barnaby and Lashawnee Myo have been hired to work at GINU for a seven-week period. We are proud to do our part building capacity with the youth in our membership communities. They will be working with our research team.
Ayden Barnaby is a 15-year-old student from Listuguj. He is the son of Jennifer Isaac and Dustin Barnaby. “I got a job so that I could learn new things about our waters, and animals around our waters,” said Ayden. Ayden’s hobbies include fishing, playing musical instruments, and archery. He competed at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) the week of July 15 to the 23rd in Millbrook, Nova Scotia.
Lashawnee is a recent graduate from Sugarloaf Senior High school (SSHS). She is a Mi’gmaq and Plains Cree from Listuguj. Lashawnee is planning on attending Carleton University and majoring in biology. She reached out to GINU expressing interest in working with the organization, looking to gain experience in the sciences. “I feel working at GINU would give me good experience.” Lashawnee will have a busy summer working on the field and she can also be found on the powwow trail jingle dancing.
GINU Is Hiring A Research Technician
Position: Research Technician
Location: Listuguj/Hybrid
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
Duration: Term ending March 31, 2026
Reports to: Research Director
About GINU
The Gespe’gewa’gi Institute of Natural Understanding (GINU) is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the environment and to support our member communities in the areas of research, education, and cultural values. GINU office is located in Listuguj, within the traditional district of Gespe’gewa’gi.
Job Summary
The research technician will provide support to the research departments research and habitat restoration projects.
Main Responsibilities
Requirements
Education and Experience:
Physical Requirements:
Send resume and cover letter to johnvicaire@ginu.co
Deadline to apply: July 23, 2023 at 12:00pm