Physiological responses of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri exposed to plastic lake inlet and outlet stream waters

Abstract

In Plastic Lake, Ontario, stocked rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) have failed to survive, one endemic fish species has become extinct and annual fish kills included up to five species, but especially pumpkinseeds (Lepomis gibbosus). The potential toxicity of Plastic Lake water was assessed by holding (hatchery) rainbow trout in the major inlet stream, the outlet, and in a portion of the outlet stream acidified to the pH of inlet No. 1. Stress on rainbow trout was assessed by measuring plasma and muscle concentrations of Na ⁺ Cl⁻, and K⁺, plus gill A1 concentration. Trout held in Plastic Lake inlet No. 1 showed a rapid loss of plasma Na⁺ from 138 to 85 meq.L⁻¹and Cl⁻ from 120 to 75 meq.L⁻¹ within 24 hr. Gill A1 concentration increased from 20 to 105 μg.g⁻¹ dry weight. Trout held in the outlet steam showed only slight loss of plasma Na⁺ and Cl⁻ and no accumulation of Al on the gills. Trout held in the acidified outlet showed a significant loss of ions with plasma Na⁺ depressed from 140 to 115 meq.L⁻¹ and plasma Cl⁻ from 125 to 95 meq.L⁻¹over 24 hr. Gill Al concentration increased from 18 to 30 μg.g⁻¹ dry weight. The differences in stress response of rainbow trout held in the inlet and acidified outlet are likely due primarily to the difference in Al species concentrations in the two waters.