Automatic early intoxification warning - for waters by microphone across test section grids monitoring rheotactic fish behaviour

摘要

Waters and effluents are tested for the presence of toxic components which may affect the fish stock by monitoring the rheotactic and photomenotactic behaviour of test fish (one-sommer carps). The test section is bounded by two test grids. Any incipient intoxification causes more frequent contacts with the rear grid which induces violent tail kicks by the fish. These kicks are monitored by a microphone; the number of pulses per unit time is a measure for the degree of damage done to the fish organism. This gives an advance warning of any incipient intoxification before any large-scale damage is done. The appliance is robust enough to be used in the field.