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IMPACT OF SURFACE WATER ACIDIFICATION ON COMMERCIALLY AND RECREATIONALLY IMPORTANT SALMONID FISHES: EFFECTS ON REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS AND RECRUITMENT
Citation:
Schreck, C. AND H. Li. IMPACT OF SURFACE WATER ACIDIFICATION ON COMMERCIALLY AND RECREATIONALLY IMPORTANT SALMONID FISHES: EFFECTS ON REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS AND RECRUITMENT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-84/116 (NTIS PB85159911), 1984.
Description:
Reproduction of salmonid fishes in acidic water was studied, using the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) as a model. Adult trout were exposed to pH levels 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and control (6.5 to 7.1) during the final 6 weeks of reproductive maturation. Reduced survival rates of the progeny of acid-exposed females through 7 days of development, hatching, and yolksac absorption demonstrate that oogenesis is sensitive to environmental acidification. Similar reductions in the survival of the progeny of acid-exposed males indicate the sensitivity of spermatogenesis to low ambient pH. The authors conclude that salmonid gametogenesis and early ontongeny are likely to be affected by environmental acidification.