A histological and ultrastructural study of the effects of low pH aluminum upon the gills of the Atlantic salmon

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:7067591

Jagoe, C H

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) inhabit freshwater during part of their life cycle, and can be exposed to low pH and aluminum concentrations that disturb gill functions such as ion regulation, acid base balance, and gas exchange in fish. Electron microscopy showed that exposure of fry to 75 {mu}g/l or more inorganic aluminum at pH 5.5 caused hyperplasia and development of apical crypts in chloride cells, which are involved in ion transport. Fusion of primary and secondary lamellae was observed. These effects would interfere with gill function. Abnormalities did not occur when humic acid was present to chelate aluminum, suggesting that only the inorganic form is toxic. Morphometric analysis of gills from smolts exposed to low pH and aluminum in artificial channels revealed that fish exposed to pH 5 to 6 without aluminum had more chloride cells on primary and secondary lamallae than controls. Fish exposed to aluminum at pH 5 to 6 had more primary lamellar chloride cells than controls, but the number of secondary lamellar chloride cells did not increase. Exposure to aluminum damages chloride cells, and their numbers decrease as these are lost from secondary lamellae.

• Research Organization: Maine Univ., Orono, ME (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7067591
• 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.
ALUMINIUM
ANADROMOUS FISHES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
FISHES
GILLS
HUMIC ACIDS
METALS
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SALMON
SENSITIVITY
TOXICITY
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION