Physiological and toxicological effects of long-term exposure to acid, aluminum, and low calcium on adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5900315

Mount, D R

Although the toxic effects of these three parameters were highly interactive, survival and growth of adult brook trout were reduced at elevated aluminum concentrations. Only 40 ug/L aluminum was necessary to produce similar responses in rainbow trout. Neither species was sensitive to pH alone in the range 4.5-6.5 except at very low calcium concentrations. Reductions in fecundity were observed, but only as a result of decreased growth. Progeny spawned from brook trout that had been exposed to 0.5 mg/L calcium were more sensitive to continued exposure to acid, aluminum and low calcium than were progeny of control fish. Physiologically, brook and rainbow trout responded similarly to sublethal acid, aluminum and low calcium stress. All fish exposed to depressed pH showed reductions in plasma sodium, but in most cases they were able to maintain normal plasma osmolality. But those fish stressed most severely displayed an entire suite of disturbances, including decreased survival, growth and feeding, as well as abnormal vitellogenesis and ionoregulatory failure.

• Research Organization: Wyoming Univ., Laramie (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5900315
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACIDIFICATION
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CALCIUM
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
ELEMENTS
FISHES
GROWTH
METALS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
PROGENY
SENSITIVITY
SURVIVAL CURVES
TOXICITY
TROUT
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION