Genetic and Environmental Factors Involved in Increased Resistance of Brook Trout to Sulfuric Acid Solutions and Mine Acid Polluted Waters.

摘要

Several strains of hatchery-reared brook trout were exposed to low pH in the laboratory and in the field. Wild brook trout were also used in some field tests. Tests were both acute and chronic. Pronounced strain differences in survival ability were detected among embryonic,juvenile,and adult brook trout in laboratory tests,and among juvenile brook trout in field tests. Fish had longer resistance times in sulfuric acid solutions and in mine acid polluted water if they were held previously in,respectively,pH 8laboratory water,or non-acidic field environments. Wild brook trout survived longer at lethal field pH levels than hatchery fish which were tested immediately upon transport from the hatchery. Development of embryonic brook trout was delayed in sulfuric acid solutions of low pH. The time to loss of equilibrium at low pH was well correlated with total survival time. The rate of net sodium loss at low pH was inversely correlated with the resistance times of brook trout.