A model of fish preference and mortality under hypoxic water in the coastal environment

Eutrophication and associated occurrence of hypoxic condition could cause significant damage to marine ecosystems, resulting in considerable economic losses to fisheries and aquaculture and is a major source of stress that fish often have to contend with in order to survive. This problem is likely to be exacerbated in the coming years, since the wastewater treatment facilities is unlikely to catch up with increasing human activities. Moreover, large-scale reclamation projects in coastal areas have recently been increased, and these activities certainly have adverse impacts on water quality and fisheries resources. Coastal construction has a significant role in the development of hypoxic water by changing the current and mixing pattern of water. Changes in species composition and decreases in species richness and diversity have been well documented in hypoxic systems. Hypoxia could cause endocrine disruption in fish and eliminate populations of sensitive species. Shallow coastal areas are of great importance for the special nursery of fish and shellfish and land reclamation in these areas cause strong damage to fisheries. Although the tolerance of aquatic life to hypoxia is known, there is no information about the mortality of fish caused by hypoxia because fish can swim around it and no modeling study has yet been carried out. Criteria that influence the movement of fish are: amounts of food, water temperature and depth, dissolved oxygen concentration and nature of seabed. However, among these, water temperature and dissolved oxygen are the most crucial parameters that affect survival, movement and growth of fish. In this paper, a model of fish preference and mortality for environmental conditions was developed and applied to the Hakata Bay where hypoxic water occurs every summer. For the purpose of this study, a field survey of fish behavior under hypoxic water was conducted by releasing marbled sale (Pleuronectes yokohamae) in the inner bay. Moreover, a series of preference tests for DO, salinity and temperature in the laboratory were conducted in order to decide preference parameters of fish. Using the results of both field and laboratory studies, a sub-module of fish preference and mortality was coded within an integrated hydrothermal and eutrophication model (CHEM) to predict the behavior and mortality of marbled sale when hypoxia would occur in the bay. The model could reasonably simulate the behavior of the fish under hypoxia. An assessment of the impact of the ongoing land reclamation project of about 401 ha in the Wajiro tidal flat zones at the head of the bay on the fisheries resources was also conducted using the model. The results showed that the artificial land lowered the mortality rate of fish under hypoxic condition in the bay during the summer period.     

Determination of petroleum hydrocarbons in water, fish and sediments following the Ekofisk blow-out

Samples of fish, water and sediment were collected during the Ekofisk ‘Bravo’ blow-out and analysed for specific aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Analyses showed the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons from the blow-out in some of the water samples, but fish and sediments, collected up to a week after it began, showed no evidence of a contribution from the blow-out.     

Application of food waste based diets in polyculture of low trophic level fish: Effects on fish growth,water quality and plankton density

Food waste was collected from local hotels and fish feed pellets were produced for a 6 months long field feeding trial. Three types of fish feed pellets (control diet: Jinfeng® 613 formulated feed, contains mainly fish meal, plant product and fish oil; Diet A: food waste based diet without meat and 53% cereal; Diet B: food waste based diet with 25% meat and 28% cereal) were used in polyculture fish ponds to investigate the growth of fish (grass carp, bighead and mud carp), changes in water quality and plankton density. No significant differences in the levels of nitrogen and phosphorous compounds of water body were observed between 3 fish ponds after the half-year feeding trial, while pond receiving Diet A had the highest density of plankton. The food waste combination of Diet B seems to be a better formulation in terms of the overall performance on fish growth.     

Assuring fish safety and quality in international fish trade

International trade in fishery commodities reached US 58.2 billion dollars in 2002, a 5% improvement relative to 2000 and a 45% increase over 1992 levels. Within this global trade, developing countries registered a net trade surplus of US 17.4 billion dollars in 2002 and accounted for almost 50% by value and 55% of fish exports by volume. This globalization of fish trade, coupled with technological developments in food production, handling, processing and distribution, and the increasing awareness and demand of consumers for safe and high quality food have put food safety and quality assurance high in public awareness and a priority for many governments. Consequently, many countries have tightened food safety controls, imposing additional costs and requirements on imports. As early as 1980, there was an international drive towards adopting preventative HACCP-based safety and quality systems. More recently, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to food safety and quality throughout the entire food chain. Implementation of this approach requires an enabling policy and regulatory environment at national and international levels with clearly defined rules and standards, establishment of appropriate food control systems and programmes at national and local levels, and provision of appropriate training and capacity building. This paper discusses the international framework for fish safety and quality, with particular emphasis on the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization's (FAO) strategy to promote international harmonization and capacity building.     

Artificial macrophytes as fish habitat in a Mediterranean reservoir subjected to seasonal water level disturbances

Artificial macrophytes were experimentally deployed in Boadella Reservoir (NE Spain) and assessed for fish use throughout the first 3 months of the 2007 summer drawdown. In total, 1,832 individuals of seven fish species were recorded through visual censuses, with introduced perch Perca fluviatilis being the prevalent species. Fish richness and abundance were significantly higher in artificial macrophytes than in rocky shores and sandy beaches, displaying a unimodal variation through time. P. fluviatilis, Rutilus rutilus and Abramis brama were significantly more abundant in artificial macrophytes than in the other two naturally submersed habitats, where no individuals of these species were recorded. The abundances of Squalius laietanus, Lepomis gibbosus, Micropterus salmoides and Cyprinus carpio were overall greater in artificial macrophytes than in rocky shores but displayed significant habitat × time interactions. A decrease in predation risk was apparently the key-factor of the intensive use of artificial macrophytes by small fish (≤100 mm TL) in Boadella Reservoir, since most species reduced drastically or completely the use of submerged structures when body size increased. This study demonstrates that adding artificial structures mimicking aquatic macrophytes can be an interesting tool to mitigate the adverse effects of water level fluctuations on fish assemblages in structure-less and homogeneous ecosystems, and to understand the mechanisms affecting habitat use and species replacement.     

金沙江下游梯级水库对水温及鱼类适宜产卵时间的影响

水温是重要的水文指标。气候变化和人类活动加剧背景下,水温变化已成为威胁全球水生态系统的重要因素。长江上游开发了世界上规模最大的梯级水库群,然而目前关于梯级水库和气候变化对下游水温及水生态的耦合影响仍不清楚。本文基于长江宜宾-重庆段长序列水温和气象资料,解析了气象因子和金沙江梯级水库对下游水温的影响,评估了长江上游珍稀特有鱼类国家级自然保护区重要鱼类适宜产卵时间对水温变化的响应,结果表明：研究河段近30年年平均水温显著增高,增幅约为0.5～1.1℃;向家坝-溪洛渡水库蓄水后向家坝站、朱沱站和寸滩站年水温过程平均滞后约36、13和7 d,蓄水后下游河段春季“滞冷”效应明显,秋冬季“滞热”效应明显,各水文站旬平均水温最大增加和降低幅度分别为1.8～3.7℃和1.3～3.6℃,“滞热”程度大于“滞冷”程度;年内不同月份水温变化主要由梯级水库蓄水引起,年际间平均水温变化主要由气候变化引起;蓄水后向家坝站附近水温达到重要鱼类适宜产卵水温时间延迟了30～40 d,蓄水对达到重要鱼类适宜产卵水温的时间延迟程度为：黑尾近红鲌>长薄鳅、圆口铜鱼、岩原鲤>中华金沙鳅>长江鲟>胭脂鱼,...     

Distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in the water, sediment and fish from the Pearl River estuary, China

The concentrations and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls were determined in water, surface sediments and fishes from the estuaries of Pearl River, PR China. The results showed that the concentrations ranged from 2.47 ng l-1 to 6.75 ng l-1 in water, from 11.13 ng g-1 to 23.23 ng g-1 in sediments (dry weight) and from 68.64 ng g-1 to 316.85 ng-1 in fish (lipid weight). It was found that the feeding habits of fish were very significant in the accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls and pattern of congeners. Carnivorous and benthic fishes such as eel (Anguilla japonica) and Chinese sea catfish (Arius sinensis) were found to have high concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls and of high-chlorinated congeners, while herbivores such as shad (Clupanodon punctatus) and mullet (Mugil cephalus) exhibited an opposite trend. Congeners IUPAC Nos. 153, 138, 118, 87/81, 170 and 52 were found frequently in most samples (both sediment and fish). In comparison with other places in the world, the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment and fish from the estuary of Pearl River were low.     

Changes in algal, coral and fish assemblages along water quality gradients on the inshore Great Barrier Reef

Macroalgae, hard corals, octocorals, and fish were surveyed on 10 to 13 inshore coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, along a water quality gradient in two regions with contrasting agricultural land use. A water quality index was calculated for each reef based on available data of particulate and dissolved nutrients, chlorophyll and suspended solids. Strong gradients in ecological attributes occurred along the water quality gradient. Macroalgae of the divisions Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta increased with increasing nutrients, while Phaeophyta remained similar. Octocoral richness and abundances of many hard coral and octocoral taxa decreased, and none of the hundreds of species increased. At reefs in higher nutrient environments, hard coral and octocoral assemblages were composed of subsets of the many species found in lower nutrient environments, whereas fish and macroalgal assemblages consisted of contrasting suites of species. The study identifies species groups that are likely to increase or decrease in abundance with changing water quality.     

太湖鱼类区系变化和渔获物分析

20世纪80年代之前,太湖有鱼类107种、25科,属4个生态类型:洄游型、江湖洄游型、河流型和湖沼型.自2002年9月至2006年1月进行了太湖鱼类采集,共采得鱼类60种、18科.其中,除放流的鱼类外,都能在封闭的湖泊环境中完成生命周期(湖沼生态型);团头鲂、鲮、银鲫和尼罗罗非鱼属移植种类.团头鲂、鳙、鲢、草鱼和青鱼是从20世纪60年代起每年向湖中放流的鱼类;鳗鲡则是自1976年起放流从长江采捕的鳗苗.20世纪50年末至1985年,长江和太湖之间人为隔断,不能在静水中繁殖的鱼类在湖中消失,自然鱼类资源下降;加上过度捕捞和对繁殖群体缺少保护,导致鱼类群体小型化.最后,对太湖渔业资源的优化进行了讨论,并进一步提出对策.     

水产养殖清塘过程污染排放特征及对周边水体影响：以太湖下游典型鱼类集约化养殖区为例

水产养殖清塘过程中的排水是造成周边水环境污染的重要环节，但对此环节中污染物排放特征和影响程度的研究仍相对不足。为有效减少清塘过程的排水对环境的污染，推进水产养殖业绿色发展，本研究选取典型鱼类集约化养殖区，通过高频采样和监测，分析了阶段式排水时混养鱼塘尾水中的悬浮物、有机物和营养盐等指标的浓度变化，明确污染物的排放特征，同时分析受纳水体不同断面的水质变化情况。研究结果表明：总悬浮物浓度(TSS)、高锰酸盐指数(COD_Mn)、总磷(TP)、总氮(TN)和氨氮(NH₃-N)浓度随着持续排水呈上升趋势，在排水末期污染物浓度均快速上升，磷酸盐磷(PO₄^3--P)浓度仅在排水末期骤升，硝态氮(NO₃^--N)浓度随排水持续下降，亚硝态氮(NO₂^--N)浓度随排水先上升后下降；根据《淡水池塘养殖水排放要求》二级标准，排水末期TN、TP、TSS浓度超标倍数分别达4.70、6.66、206.90；尾水流量与河流量约以1/200的比例...     

Bioaccumulation from food and water of cadmium, selenium and zinc in an estuarine fish, Ambassis jacksoniensis

The glassfish, Ambassis jacksoniensis, is a key, mid-level species in an estuarine food web on the east coast of Australia. Estuaries are subject to contamination from urban and industrial activities. The biokinetics of Cd, Se and Zn accumulation by glassfish from water and food were assessed using radioisotopes. Metal uptake from water was not regulated over the range of water metal concentrations examined. Metal uptake from food was assessed using brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) fed radio-labelled algae. The assimilation efficiency from food was 9.5 ± 2.5%, 23 ± 2.2% and 4.6 ± 0.6% for Cd, Se and Zn, respectively. The potential for biomagnification was low for all metals. Food is the main metal uptake pathway for glassfish, with 97%, 99% and 98% of the uptake of Cd, Se and Zn, respectively, estimated to be from food.     

Varied impact of land use on water and sediment parameters in fish ponds of the Dombes agro-ecosystem,France

Abstract

Agricultural land use in the area of water bodies is generally considered to increase the nutrient status of the water body water and sediments, but is this also the case for already nutrient-rich fish ponds? We studied 83 fish ponds in the Dombes region, France, where 1100 ponds are located in a heterogeneous agricultural landscape. Different water and sediment parameters were analysed for ponds and in ditches after rainfall events. Land use was studied in the primary catchment of ponds and in a 100-m zone around ponds. Soil parameters of different land-use types were analysed and farmers interviewed about agricultural practices. Increasing cropping area in the catchment of the ponds is significantly correlated to higher PO₄ ^3- concentration of pond water and to a lower degree, also to NO₃ ^?, but only in certain years with higher rainfall and with a more uneven distribution in spring. Sediment parameters were not significantly influenced. High NO₃- concentration in the water of a ditch during significant rainfall events was found for a cropland dominated catchment.

Citation Wezel, A., Arthaud, F., Dufloux, C., Renoud, F., Vallod, D., Robin, J., and Sarrazin, B., 2013. Varied impact of land use on water and sediment parameters in fish ponds of the Dombes agro-ecosystem, France. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (4), 854–871.     

Reaction of fish larvae to the water of the River Elbe at Hamburg harbour

The River Elbe is one of the biggest streams carrying pollutants of all kinds into the North Sea. However, investigations of direct effects of the Elbe water on river life are not numerous. Early life stages of common whitefish and carp were reared under comparable conditions in water of the River Elbe, and in tap water, respectively. No direct effects on the viability of the fry could be found by observing mortality and growth rates in both treatments. Whitefish larvae were severely infested by parasitic ciliates which were able to build up a dense population in the river water. In these experiments life conditions for the protozoa seemed to be much better than in tap water. Mortality rates of early larvae of common whitefish were lower in the Elbe water than in tap water. Mortality, growth rate and starvation resistance of carp fry was equal in river and tap water.     

Arsenic in marine fish and invertebrates

An environmental survey has been undertaken on the Pacific coast of Canada to document natural background levels of a number of heavy metals, including arsenic, in various species of marine fish and invertebrates. The majority of fish studied from four different sampling locations near a proposed mine site, contained arsenic with levels ranging from less than 0.4 to 37.8 mg/kg (wet weight). Crabs were found to contain the highest level of arsenic of all marine organisms tested. Results indicate that arsenic accumulates in marine fish and invertebrates and may possibly be a micronutrient.     

Ammonia toxicity in fish

Ammonia is present in the aquatic environment due to agricultural run-off and decomposition of biological waste. Ammonia is toxic to all vertebrates causing convulsions, coma and death, probably because elevated NH₄⁺ displaces K⁺ and depolarizes neurons, causing activation of NMDA type glutamate receptor, which leads to an influx of excessive Ca²⁺ and subsequent cell death in the central nervous system.

Present ammonia criteria for aquatic systems are based on toxicity tests carried out on, starved, resting, non-stressed fish. This is doubly inappropriate. During exhaustive exercise and stress, fish increase ammonia production and are more sensitive to external ammonia. Present criteria do not protect swimming fish. Fish have strategies to protect them from the ammonia pulse following feeding, and this also protects them from increases in external ammonia, as a result starved fish are more sensitive to external ammonia than fed fish.

There are a number of fish species that can tolerate high environmental ammonia. Glutamine formation is an important ammonia detoxification strategy in the brain of fish, especially after feeding. Detoxification of ammonia to urea has also been observed in elasmobranches and some teleosts. Reduction in the rate of proteolysis and the rate of amino acid catabolism, which results in a decrease in ammonia production, may be another strategy to reduce ammonia toxicity. The weather loach volatilizes NH₃, and the mudskipper, P. schlosseri, utilizes yet another unique strategy, it actively pumps NH₄⁺ out of the body.     

Mercury in fish and the news media

Confusion over concentrations of food contaminants calculated on the basis of wet or dry weight of the material leads to unnecessarily alarmist responses. Fish may contain 80 per cent water so that dry weight concentrations are five times greater than the concentration received by the consumer.     

In-stream water quality,invertebrate and fish community health across a gradient of dairy farming prevalence in a New Zealand river catchment

Dairying is an intensive form of agriculture influencing stream ecosystems worldwide via increased levels of nutrients, deposited fine sediment and other contaminants. However, it is not fully understood how dairy farming affects food supply for stream fish. We investigated relationships between dairy farming prevalence in the catchments of nine tributaries of a New Zealand river (0% to 79% of the catchment area) and fish and invertebrate communities. Streams were sampled four times at monthly intervals for brown trout density, fitness/growth-related trout response variables, native fish density, invertebrate community metrics as well as physical and chemical water quality variables. Densities of both brown trout and native fish declined as dairying increased, with no trout found in streams where dairy farms covered more than 50% of the catchment area. Increasing dairy farming prevalence was also associated with higher in-stream levels of dissolved nutrients and deposited fine sediment. These findings suggest that increasing the extent of dairy farming in New Zealand based on practices at the time of sampling results in less abundant and diverse fish communities.