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Sensitivity of early-life stage golden trout to low pH and elevated aluminum

July 31, 1993

Early-life-stage golden trout (Oncorhynchus aguabonita aguabonita) were exposed to acid and Al to examine the response and determine the sensitivity of a western, alpine salmonid to conditions simulating an episodic pH depression. Freshly fertilized eggs, alevins, and swim-up larvae were exposed for 7 d to one of 12 combinations of pH and Al, and surviving fish were held to 40 d post-hatch to determine the effect of exposure on subsequent survival and recovery. Golden trout are sensitive to conditions simulating episodic acidification events typically observed in the field. Significant mortality occurred when the pH of test waters was below 5.0 in the absence of Al or when pH was 5.5 in the presence of 100 μg/L total Al. Behavioral impairments were sensitive indicators of low pH and Al stress. Impaired locomotory and feeding behavior occurred at pH 5.5 without Al and at Al concentrations > 50 μg/L. In contrast, growth, RNA-to-DNA ratio, and whole-body ion concentration were relatively less sensitive indicators of sublethal acid and Al stress.

Publication Year 1993
Title Sensitivity of early-life stage golden trout to low pH and elevated aluminum
DOI 10.1002/etc.5620120711
Authors Aaron J. Delonay, Edward E. Little, Daniel F. Woodward, William G. Brumbaugh, Aïda M. Farag, Charles F. Rabeni
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Index ID 70193868
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Columbia Environmental Research Center