The effects of low pH and elevated aluminum on yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri)

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1897/1552-8618(1993)12[719:TEOLPA]2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:6586918

Farag, A M ^[1]; Woodward, D F ^[2]; Little, E E; Steadman, B ^[3]; Vertucci, F A ^[4]

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1. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie (United States)
2. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jackson, WY (United States)
3. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia, MO (United States)
4. Forest Service, Fort Collins, CO (United States)

Although acid deposition is not considered a problem in the western US, surface waters in high elevations and fish inhabiting these waters may be vulnerable to acidification. This study examined the sensitivity of a wester salmonid to acid and aluminum stress. Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri; YSC) were exposed for 7 d during each of four early life stages, or continuously from fertilization to 40 d post-hatch, to decreased pH and elevated Al. The authors monitored survival, growth, whole-body ion content, and behavior of the exposed fish. Sensitivity of early life stages of YSC may be expressed by survival or by survival and sublethal effects. In their study, eggs were the most sensitive life stage of YSC to low pH if survival alone was considered. However, the sublethal effects on growth, tissue ion content, and behavior revealed the alevins and swim-up larvae were more sensitive to reduced pH and increased Al than eggs or eyed embryos. They also observed that survival was significantly decreased if YSC were exposed to pH 6.0 and 50 [mu]g Al per liter continuously from fertilization to 40 d post-hatch.

• OSTI ID: 6586918
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 12:4; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
ACIDIFICATION
ALUMINIUM
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
ELEMENTS
FISHES
METALS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
RAIN
SENSITIVITY
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
TROUT
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION