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Results for “Canadian Journal Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences”

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At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
USGS1998

Sexual difference in polychlorinated biphenyl accumulation rates of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum)

Adult male walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) exhibited significantly higher polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations than similarly aged female walleye from Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron). To explain this difference, we tested the following three hypotheses: (i) females showed a considerably greater reduction in PCB concentration immediately following spawning than males, (ii) females grew at a faster rate and therefore exhibited lower PCB concentrations than males, and (iii) males spent more time in the Saginaw River system than females, and therefore received a greater exposure to PCBs. The first hypothesis was tested by comparing PCB concentration in gonadal tissue with whole-body concentration, the second hypothesis was tested via bioenergetics modeling, and we used mark-recapture data from the Saginaw Bay walleye fishery to address the third hypothesis. The only plausible explanation for the observed difference in PCB accumulation rate was that males spent substantially more time in the highly contaminated Saginaw River system than females, and therefore were exposed to greater environmental concentrations of PCBs. Based on the results of our study, we strongly recommend a stratified random sampling design for monitoring PCB concentration in Saginaw Bay walleye, with fixed numbers of females and males sampled each year.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2001

Establishment of two invasive crustaceans (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) on the nearshore sands of Lake Michigan

Benthic copepods (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) in the nearshore sediments of southern Lake Michigan appear to be dominated by two new invasive species. We report the first occurrence in North America of Schizopera borutzkyi Montschenko, a native to the Danube River delta, and Heteropsyllus nr. nunni, likely a new species that is morphologically similar to the marine species Heteropsyllus nunni and represents the first occurrence of this genus in freshwater. Schizopera borutzkyi is a euryhaline species occurring in shallow sands in its native habitat and in deeper sands (6-15 m) in southern Lake Michigan. Based on the absence of these species from previous studies, we suggest that they are recent introductions. Heteropsyllus nr. nunni dominated (55-100%) the harpacticoid abundance to depths of 9 m, but S. borutzkyi comprised 75% of the harpacticoid abundance at 15 m. Native harpacticoids were always greatly outnumbered by invasive harpacticoids in our samples, which suggests that the natives are being replaced rapidly or that the invasive species are finding unused resources. The ecological implications of these introductions are not known, but these invasions may represent continued 'invasional meltdown' in Lake Michigan.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS1999

Evaluation of the flood-pulse concept based on statistical models of growth of selected fishes of the upper Mississippi River system

The flood-pulse concept (FPC) states that annual inundation is the principal force responsible for productivity and biotic interactions in river-floodplain systems. Somatic growth is one component of production, and we hypothesized that, if the FPC applies, growth of fishes that use the moving littoral zone should differ among years with differing flood pattern, whereas nonlittoral fishes would show no such response. Growth of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), species that exploit littoral resources, increased during a year having an unusual warm-season flood in the Upper Mississippi River system and was reduced during low-water years. Growth of white bass (Morone chrysops), which do not rely heavily on the littoral zone, did not differ significantly between the extreme-flood and low-water years. Patterns of growth of black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), which have intermediate dependence on the moving littoral zone, were somewhat ambiguous. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the FPC applies, at least under certain conditions, to this temperate river system. Our results can also provide an important basis from which to assess some costs and benefits of water level management strategies in large regulated temperate rivers.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2000

Bioavailability of sediment-associated mercury to Hexagenia mayflies in a contaminated floodplain river

We examined the bioavailability of mercury in sediments from the contaminated Sudbury River (Massachusetts, U.S.A.). Mayfly nymphs (Hexagenia) were exposed in four 21-day bioaccumulation tests to contaminated and reference sediments (treatments) from reservoirs, flowing reaches, palustrine wetlands, and a riverine lake. Mean total mercury (Sigma Hg) ranged from 880 to 22 059 ng.g dry weight(-1) in contaminated sediments and from 90 to 272 ng.g(-1) in reference sediments. Mean final concentrations of methyl mercury (MeHg) in test water were greatest (8-47 ng Hg.L-1) in treatments with contaminated wetland sediments, which had mean Sigma Hg ranging from 1200 to 2562 ng.g(-1). In mayflies, final mean concentrations of MeHg were highest in treatments with contaminated wetland sediments (122-183 ng Hg.g(-1)), intermediate in treatments with contaminated sediments from reservoirs, flowing reaches, and a riverine lake (75-127 ng Hg.g(-1)), and lowest in treatments with reference sediments (32-41 ng Hg.g(-1)). We conclude that the potential entry of MeHg into the benthic food chain was greater in contaminated palustrine wetlands than in the contaminated reservoirs, which had the most contaminated sediments.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS1993

Whole-lake burdens and spatial distribution of mercury in surficial sediments in Wisconsin seepage lakes

We quantified total mercury in surficial sediments (uppermost 5 cm) of six small seepage lakes. Fifty cores were taken from each lake, based on a random sampling design stratified by water depth. Volumetric concentrations (mass per volume of wet sediment) more accurately portrayed the depth distribution of mercury in the lakes than did dry-weight concentrations, which underrepresented the significance of the shallow-water sediments as a reservoir of potentially available mercury. Estimates of whole-lake burdens (masses) of mercury in the surficial sediment, which represents the maximum amount of sedimentary mercury available for methylation, ranged from 45 to 149 g. We hypothesize that the observed variation in areal burdens of mercury was partly due to variation among lakes in the pH-related efflux of gaseous mercury (Hg super(0)) from the lakes to the atmosphere.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS1986

Loss of lampricides by adsorption on bottom sediments

Problems have been encountered in maintaining effective concentrations of the lampricides 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) and 5,2a??-dichloro-4a??-nitrosalicylanilide (Bayer 73) during treatments of certain Great Lakes tributaries. Concentrations of Bayer 73 decreased by more than 80% in a portion of the Ford River, Michigan, during treatment in 1980. Adsorption of Bayer 73 on sediments was hypothesized as the primary mechanism of this excessive loss. Subsequent laboratory studies demonstrated that lampricides are adsorbed by silt-type sediments that are high in organic content, including those collected from the treated portion of the Ford River. Un-ionized lampricides (acidic solution) were more readily adsorbed than ionized forms (basic solution). Adsorption onto sediments was proportionally greater, and desorption proportionally less, for Bayer 73 than for TFM. When Ford River sediments were mixed with lampricide-free water, less than 10% of the adsorbed Bayer 73, but more than 60% of the TFM, was released. The extensive adsorption of the lampricides (especially Bayer 73) from solution by silt-type sediments explains much of the loss of effective concentrations in certain streams.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS1980

Effects of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control in the Great Lakes on aquatic plants, invertebrates and amphibians

The chemicals 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) or a combination of TFM and 2a??,5-dichloro-4a??-nitrosalicylanilide (Bayer 73) have been used to control the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in the Great Lakes for about 20 yr. These chemicals cause some mortalities of Oligochaeta and Hirudinea, immature forms of Ephemeroptera (Hexagenia sp.), and certain Trichoptera, Simuliidae, and Amphibia (Necturus sp.). The combination of TFM and Bayer 73 may affect some Pelecypoda and Gastropoda, but its overall effects on invertebrates are probably less than those of TFM alone. Granular Bayer 73 is likely to induce mortalities among oligochaetes, microcrustaceans, chironomids, and pelecypods. No evidence exists that the lampricides have caused the catastrophic decline or disappearance of any species. The overall impact of chemical control of sea lampreys on aquatic communities has been minor compared with the benefits derived.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS1993

Sediment resuspension, redeposition, and focusing in a small dimictic reservoir

Rates of seston (dry mass) sedimentation, estimated from sediment traps (ST rates) and sediment cores (SC rates), were determined at four water depths to examine seasonal and annual sedimentation patterns in Eau Galle Reservoir, Wisconsin (USA). Annual ST rates overestimated annual SC rates at water depths less-than-or-equal-to 4 m, suggesting that sediment resuspension and redeposition in relatively shallow regions of the reservoir caused the overestimate. In contrast, annual ST and SC rates were similar at depths >4 m, suggesting minimal sediment resuspension and redeposition in deeper regions of the reservoir. Using variations in daily ST rates estimated during the autumn overturn of 1987, we developed a conceptual framework for estimating sediment resuspension, redeposition, and focusing. Resuspension of shallow sediments during this particular period accounted for over 50% of the annual ST rate at depths less-than-or-equal-to 4 m. At the same time, focusing of resuspended shallow sediments to deeper regions accounted for about 20% of the annual ST rate at depths >4 m. Our results indicate that during autumn overturn in this reservoir, peaks in sedimentation in the deep, profundal region, estimated from sediment traps, may reflect sediment focused from shallow regions rather than sediment resuspended from the profundal region.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS1995

Population differentiation in Pacific salmon: local adaptation, genetic drift, or the environment?

Morphological, behavioral, and life-history differences between Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) populations are commonly thought to reflect local adaptation, and it is likewise common to assume that salmon populations separated by small distances are locally adapted. Two alternatives to local adaptation exist: random genetic differentiation owing to genetic drift and founder events, and genetic homogeneity among populations, in which differences reflect differential trait expression in differing environments. Population genetics theory and simulations suggest that both alternatives are possible. With selectively neutral alleles, genetic drift can result in random differentiation despite many strays per generation. Even weak selection can prevent genetic drift in stable populations; however, founder effects can result in random differentiation despite selective pressures. Overlapping generations reduce the potential for random differentiation. Genetic homogeneity can occur despite differences in selective regimes when straying rates are high. In sum, localized differences in selection should not always result in local adaptation. Local adaptation is favored when population sizes are large and stable, selection is consistent over large areas, selective diffeentials are large, and straying rates are neither too high nor too low. Consideration of alternatives to local adaptation would improve both biological research and salmon conservation efforts.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗