<p> Juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus myldss) were chronically exposed (90 days) in synthetically softened water ([Ca2+]=50, [Na+]=100 J.tequiv·L-1), to sublethal low pH
(5.2) and a simulated global warming scenario (+20C), added to the natural summer thermal cycle ofinshore Lake Ontario. Two studies were conducted over the periods June September 1993 and 1994 in order to examine the effects ofthe sublethal stressors under conditions ofunlimited food ration (satiation feeding twice daily= 10% dry body weight·day-1), and a limited food ration (4% dry body weight·day-1) respectively. The addition of 2°C and sulphuric acid was designed to result in four treatment conditions: i) Control conditions; ambient water temperature and pH; ii) ambient water temperature and pH 5.2; iii) simulated global warming at ambient pH; iv) a combination of simulated global warming and pH 5.2. Year to year variation in temperature provided the trout in the satiation-fed study with an ambient ~peraturerange of 13-24°C, while those in the limited ration study experienced a range of 16.5-21°C. Consequently, the trout in the treatments with an additional 2°C experienced temperatures close to the upper incipient lethal level, particularly the trout in the satiation feeding study. Apparent specific dynamic action raised routine metabolic rates in all treatments to -75% and 55% M02(max) in the satiation and limited ration studies respectively, the difference of 20% indicating the influence of an unlimited feeding regime on metabolism. Trout in the satiation feeding study increased in wet body mass by 30-50 g, while trout in the limited ration study increased by only 3-4 g. Whole body proximate composition of the trout fed to satiation changed over time with large increases in lipid content, small increases in protein content, and compensating decreases in water content in all treatments. No such changes occurred in the limited ration trout, although whole body lipid and carbohydrate were highly variable. In both studies, the addition of20C resulted in decreased growth, with an accompanying depression in appetite in the satiation fed trout, especially at peak temperatures. Surprisingly, trout exposed to low pH alone exhibited improved growth in both treatments. Energy budgets indicated that the addition of 2°C reduced gross energy intake and increased fecal (and Ulllidentified) energy losses resulting in lowered conversion efficiencies, while in limited ration trout, energy expenditure was slightly higher. Trout exposed to low pH exhibited higher gross energy intake and gain, and more efficient energy conversion under unlimited food conditions while trout with limited rations expended the least metabolic energy and exhibited lower nitrogen energy losses. The surprising lack of ionoregulatory disturbance in these pH 5.2 exposed trout in both studies suggests tbat the availability of NaCl in the diet was compensating for branchial ion losses, and perhaps driving appetite in the satiation fed trout Where ration was limited, reductions in activity level may have contributed to energy conservation and consequently improved growth. A 22Na+ flux experiment conducted at the end of the limited ration exposure, in which the fish were exposed to a challenge concentration of H+ (pH 4.2), provided evidence for improved recovery of ionoregulatory balance in trout which had been chronically exposed to low pH. Overall, the combination ofincreased global temperatures and sublethal low pH results in increased physiological costs for juvenile rainbow trout, most noticeably when summer temperatures peak. Ration level is of integral importance when considering the degree of impact of such environmental conditions. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/22493 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Dockray, Jacqueline |
| Contributors | Wood, C. M., Biology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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