Relation of Lake Acidification and Recovery to Fish,Common Loon and Common Merganser Occurrence in Algoma Lakes

Models are needed that predict both spatial and temporal improvements to ecosystems following reductions of acidifying emissions that produce `acid rain'. Logistic regression models were developed for the occurrence of fish and two fish-eatingbirds, common loons (Gavia immer) and common mergansers(Mergus merganser), using monitoring data collected onlakes across Ontario. These models were applied in the Algomaregion, including the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW). Using theWaterfowl Acidification Response Modeling System (WARMS), severalSO₂ emission reduction scenarios were simulated, i.e. thosecontributing to measured 1982–1986 sulphate deposition levels, 1994levels (corresponding to full implementation of Canadian SO₂emission reductions as stipulated in the 1991 Canada/U.S. AirQuality Agreement), 2010 levels (1994 plus full U.S. reductions),and both a 50% and a 75% further reduction beyond 2010 levels. Some habitat improvements in Algoma were predicted under the 2010scenario for all biota, but substantial increases in habitatquality, especially for mergansers, would occur only under further reductions. The TLW showed little change in chemistry orbiota, while lakes near the Montreal River were predicted toimprove substantially.     

AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING ECOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO DAM REMOVAL: THE MANATAWNY CREEK STUDY1

ABSTRACT: Dam removal has been proposed as an effective method of river restoration, but few integrative studies have examined ecological responses to the removal of dams. In 1999, we initiated an interdisciplinary study to determine ecological responses to the removal of a 2 m high dam on lower Manatawny Creek in southeastern Pennsylvania. We used an integrative monitoring program to assess the physical, chemical, and biological responses to dam removal. Following removal in 2000, increased sediment transport has led to major changes in channel form in the former impoundment and downstream reaches. Water quality did not change markedly following removal, probably because of the impoundment's short hydraulic residence time (less than two hours at base flow) and infrequent temperature stratification. When the impoundment was converted to a free flowing reach, the composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages in this portion of Manatawny Creek shifted dramatically from lentic to lotic taxa. Some fish species inhabiting the free flowing reach downstream from the dam were negatively affected by large scale sediment transport and habitat alteration following dam removal, but this appears to be a short term response. Based on our observations and experiences in this study, we provide a list of issues to evaluate when considering future dam removals.     

Coexistence of Fisheries with River Dolphin Conservation

Abstract: Freshwater biodiversity conservation is generally perceived to conflict with human use and extraction (e.g., fisheries). Overexploited fisheries upset the balance between local economic needs and endangered species’ conservation. We investigated resource competition between fisheries and Ganges river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in a human‐dominated river system in India to assess the potential for their coexistence. We surveyed a 65‐km stretch of the lower Ganga River to assess habitat use by dolphins (encounter rates) and fishing activity (habitat preferences of fishers, intensity of net and boat use). Dolphin abundance in the main channel increased from 179 (SE 7) (mid dry season) to 270 (SE 8) (peak dry season), probably as a result of immigration from upstream tributaries. Dolphins preferred river channels with muddy, rocky substrates, and deep midchannel waters. These areas overlapped considerably with fishing areas. Sites with 2–6 boats/km (moderately fished) were more preferred by dolphins than sites with 8–55 boats/km (heavily fished). Estimated spatial (85%) and prey–resource overlap (75%) between fisheries and dolphins (chiefly predators of small fish) suggests a high level of competition between the two groups. A decrease in abundance of larger fish, indicated by the fact that small fish comprised 74% of the total caught, may have intensified the present competition. Dolphins seem resilient to changes in fish community structure and may persist in overfished rivers. Regulated fishing in dolphin hotspots and maintenance of adequate dry season flows can sustain dolphins in tributaries and reduce competition in the main river. Fish‐stock restoration and management, effective monitoring, curbing destructive fishing practices, secure tenure rights, and provision of alternative livelihoods for fishers may help reconcile conservation and local needs in overexploited river systems.     

Innate responses to male sexual harassment in female mosquitofish

Male mosquitofish are very persistent in their sexual activity and harass any female they encounter. Gravid females pay a large tribute to this intense male sexual activity in terms of reduced foraging efficiency. Previous observations have demonstrated that gravid females, when chased by a male, dilute male harassment by moving closer to other females to form shoals. They also approach other males to promote male competition, and when males differ in size, they preferentially target large males, whose harassment is less intense. In this study, we tested whether the modulation of females’ social preferences in response to male harassment is innate or learned. We tested social preference in three groups of females that differed in experience of sexual harassment and in the factors affecting it. Females of the first group were reared without any sexual experience, and pregnancy was induced through artificial insemination. The second group was composed of naive females kept singly with a male; these females experienced sexual harassment but were prevented from experiencing the effects of male–male competition and shoaling on the amount of male sexual harassment. In the third group (controls), females were reared in multi-male, multi-female groups and could experience the modulating effects of social interactions on sexual harassment. When exposed to a harassing male, females of the three groups immediately reduced their distance from another female, approached a group of males or moved toward the larger of two available males. Moreover, the results for these three groups of females were similar to those obtained in wild-caught females that were tested in the same three tests in a previous study (Dadda et al. An. Behav., 70:463–471, 2005). This suggests that the strategies adopted by females in response to male sexual harassment do not need to be learned through specific experience of the social contexts.     

Determination and occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds,pharmaceuticals and personal care products in fish (Morone saxatilis)

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have attracted much attention due to widespread contamination in aquatic environment. In this study, we determined 13 EDCs and PPCPs in fish blood, bile and muscle by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The limits of quantitation (LOQ) were in the ranges of 0.23–2.54, 0.22–2.36 ng·mL⁻¹, and 0.24–2.57 ng·g⁻¹ dry weight (dw) for fish blood, bile and muscle, respectively. Recoveries of target compounds spiked into sample matrices and passed through the entire analytical procedure ranged from 65% to 95%, from 60% to 92% and from 62% to 91% for blood, bile and muscle, respectively. The methods were applied to the analysis of fish from a lake in California. Target compounds were relatively low in bile, and only bisphenol A (BPA) and diclofenac were measurable near the LOQ. Seven of 13 compounds were detected in blood, with total concentrations up to 39 ng·mL⁻¹. Only BPA was frequently found in muscle, with mean concentration of 7.26 ng·g⁻¹ dw. The estimated daily intake of BPA through fish consumption for U.S. resident was significantly lower than the tolerable daily intake recommended by the European Food Safety Authority. This study showed that the exposure to the bisphenol A from fish diet is unlikely to pose a health risk.     

Tissue-specific stress and hepatic DNA damage in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco caused by low concentrations of cadmium

Physiological stress and DNA damage in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco induced by continuous exposure to cadmium at concentrations of 170 and 1700 µg/L for up to 28 days was evaluated. The activities of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase in brain tissue, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and glutathione in gill tissue, and superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver tissue were measured. In studying random amplified polymorphic DNA to evaluate cadmium-induced hepatic genotoxicity, both the appearance of new bands and the disappearance of existing bands were observed, as well as increased levels of monoamine oxidase and Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes. The results suggest that continuous exposure to cadmium at the studied levels can induce biochemical and physiological changes and DNA damage in P. fulvidraco.     

饵料对稀有鮈鲫幼鱼和成鱼生长的影响及摄食优化策略研究

在实验室适宜的饲养条件下,进行不同发育阶段的稀有鮈鲫为期30 d的摄食-生长实验,研究3种饵料在投喂量分别为鱼体湿重的3.0%、4.0%和6.0%的3种摄食水平条件下,对稀有鮈鲫幼鱼(初始湿重为(0.0749±0.02)g)和成鱼(初始湿重为(0.2603±0.06)g)的生长影响。结果表明,不同摄食水平组的稀有鮈鲫幼鱼的相对增重率和特定生长率随摄食水平的增加而增加,但饲料转化率呈下降趋势;而稀有鮈鲫成鱼的相对增重率、特定生长率和饲料转化率的变化趋势基本相同。适宜摄食水平随稀有鮈鲫体重的增加而降低,稀有鮈鲫幼鱼和成鱼的适宜饵料分别为O.S.I.微细颗粒和O.S.I.细颗粒,适宜摄食水平分别为6.0%和4.0%。     

长江上游合江江段鱼类早期资源与向家坝水库生态调度效果初步研究

合江江段是长江上游干流保持河流生境、适宜喜流水性鱼类栖息的重要江段.为了掌握合江江段鱼类早期资源动态,分析向家坝水库生态调度的效果,于2020年向家坝水库生态调度前后,开展了鱼类早期资源逐日监测.研究期间,共采集到鱼类早期资源5目10科38种(属),其中仔鱼29种(属)、鱼卵19种(属),包括特有鱼类6种.广适应性和喜...     

黄土丘陵沟壑区饲料油菜种植试验及其产业化前景——以延安治沟造地典型项目区为例

沟道土地整治后,如何实现土地的持续、高效利用成为黄土高原丘陵沟壑区面临的突出问题,其关键在于如何充分发挥农牧交错区的比较优势,因地制宜发展种养结合的农业生产模式。依托延安市宝塔区羊圈沟和顾屯沟实验基地,通过大田试验研究了黄土丘陵沟壑区沟道土地整治后种植饲料油菜的技术要点,并探讨了基于饲料油菜种植构建新型农业生产模式的思路。结果表明：1）延安地区具备种植春季饲料油菜的自然生态适宜性,春播饲料油菜播种量以3.9~5.1 kg/hm²为宜,苗期密度宜控制在22.5万株/hm²左右;2）饲料油菜种植需要一定的田间管理,做到施足底肥,适当追肥,间苗遵循“五去五留”原则,4~5片真叶期定苗并适当追肥浇水;3）根据油菜多功能性,黄土丘陵区可发展饲用、菜用+饲用、菜用+观光+油料等多种产品组合模式,科学推广油菜种植可以促进集“种植+养殖+加工+观光”等于一体的多功能农业发展。     

Trace metal pollution in aquatic sediments and some fish species from the Kwilu-Ngongo River,Democratic Republic of Congo (Bas-Congo)

In this study, the concentrations of some metals in sediments and consumable fish from the Kwilu Ngongo River, province of Bas-Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, are investigated. The digested muscle tissue, whole fish, and river sediment samples were subjected to trace element analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and by using an automatic mercury analyzer. The highest values of trace metals in fish muscle tissue were found for Cr, Cu, Pb and Hg, with maximum values of 8.6 (Cr), 15.7 (Cu), 6.0 (Pb) and 3.3 (Hg) mg kg^?1. These values are higher than maximum tolerable limits recommended by the European Commission Regulation for Food. The highest metal concentrations in sediments were 81 (Cr), 86 (Cu), 21 (Sb), 41 (Pb), and 0.8 (Hg) mg kg^?1. Sediment toxicity tests using benthic crustaceans (ostracods) revealed mortality rates of up to 30% after six days of exposure to the sediments near the sugarcane industry outlet pipe discharge. The contamination of the sediments and fishes by the elements and the bio-accumulation of mercury in fish most likely arise from the adjacent agricultural fields where intensive sugarcane cultivation since 1925 has probably contaminated the soils through the long-term use of fertilizers and pesticides.