Reproductive Failure Due to Environmental PH and Ionic Factors in Landlocked Rainbow Smelt ('Osmerus mordax')

摘要

It is possible that there is an association between the decline of landlocked rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) in Massachusetts lakes and acid precipitation events which are now common in the Northeast. Spawning takes place in the spring, in small, easily-impacted streams subject to heavy impacts of acid from rapid snowmelt. However, no information exists which documents any adverse environmental effects on smelt egg viability. The study attempts to document the effect of environmental pH, calcium, and aluminum ion concentrations on the viability of rainbow smelt eggs.