Physiological Stress Indicators in Fishes and Their Potential for Application in Field Studies

摘要

Although much is known about physiological responses in fish exposed to acid conditions, the same level of mechanistic detail is lacking. The problem is that most stressors elicit responses which are nonspecific. Similar physiological responses may result from a wide variety of different stressors. A modeling effort of this enormity would require a multi-disciplinary, multi-year project. One useful approach might be a pH Challenge Test similar to the sea water Challenge Test developed for salmon smolt (readiness for entry into sea water). Fish may be physiologically capable of tolerating certain pH ranges based on past exposure which is known to modify acid tolerance. Comparison of specific responses to some physiological parameter such as blood NA(+) could prove useful.