Impact of Surface Water Acidification on Commercially and Recreationally Important Salmonid Fishes: Effects on Reproductive Success and Recruitment

摘要

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.