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Condition factor and whole-body sodium concentrations in a freshwater fish: Evidence for acidification stress and possible ionoregulatory over-compensation

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Abstract

Condition factor, “K”, was measured for 1202 blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) from three streams in Shenandoah National Park (USA) of different acid neutralizing capacities (ANCs). “K” is a ratio of weight standardized to length; it is an indication of the health of the individuals in a population. R. atratulus condition factor in the low-ANC stream was found to be significantly lower (11%) than that of dace measured for fish from the intermediate- and high-ANC streams. This difference, according to the results of related investigations, is likely to be biologically significant. Whole-body sodium concentrations were measured as an additional test of sublethal stress in these streams. During summer base flow conditions, mean whole-body sodium concentrations of adult R. atratulus maintained in cages were found to be highest in the low-ANC stream and lowest in the high-ANC stream. The lower condition factor of dace in the low-ANC stream may be related to whole-body sodium concentration and ion regulation. Ion regulation in the low-ANC stream may be more metabolically costly because of chronic sublethal pH stress. R. atratulus may maintain high body Na+ concentrations in low ANC- and ionic strength waters in order to provide a buffer against large episodic pH depressions. The metabolic cost of this ionoregulatory over-compensation may necessitate the diversion of energy from somatic growth and explain the poorer condition of fish from such waters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, University of Virginia, 22903, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    Todd E. Dennis & Arthur J. Bulger

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  1. Todd E. Dennis
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  2. Arthur J. Bulger
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Dennis, T.E., Bulger, A.J. Condition factor and whole-body sodium concentrations in a freshwater fish: Evidence for acidification stress and possible ionoregulatory over-compensation. Water Air Soil Pollut 85, 377–382 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00476858

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