Aluminium toxicity to fish in acidic waters
1982
Baker, J.P. (Duke Univ., Durham, NC (USA). School of Forestry and Environmental Studies) | Schofield, C.L.
An important consequence of acidification is the mobilization of Al from the edaphic to the aquatic environment. Elevated Al levels in acidic waters may be toxic to fish. Eggs, larvae, and postlarvae of white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were exposed in laboratory bioassays to pH levels 4.2 to 5.6 and inorganic Al concentrations of 0 to 0.5 mg/l. Aluminium toxicity varied with both pH and life history stage. At low pH levels (4.2 to 4.8), the presence of Al (up to 0.2 mg/l for white suckers; 0.5 mg/l for brook trout) was beneficial to egg survival through the eyed stage. In contrast, Al concentrations of 0.1 mg/l (for white suckers) or 0.2 mg/l (for brook trout) and greater resulted in measurable reductions in survival and growth of larvae and postlarvae at all pH levels (4.2 to 5.6). Aluminium was most toxic in over-saturated solutions at pH levels 5.2 to 5.4. The simultaneous increase in Al concentration with elevated acidity must be considered to accurately assess the potential effect of acidification of surface waters on survival of fish populations.
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