Abstract
Experiments were performed in flowthrough artificial stream apparatus to determine the attraction-avoidance responses of rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri to lethal copper solutions (0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg/L) when food was provided at a single source in the more contaminated water and when food was provided throughout the stream. Preference of groups of twenty test individuals for the experimental or control water was recorded at hourly intervals over 96 hr. At all concentrations, there was an initial attraction period for and subsequent avoidance of the more highly contaminated waters. Attraction was greatest in tests employing higher concentrations (3.0 and 4.0 mg/L); this attraction led to high mortality. Belated avoidance of copper solutions was observed at all levels above 0.5 mg/L maximizing at 1.0 mg/L. The EC50-96-hr value for avoidance was between 0.5 and 0.75 mg/L. With food provided only in contaminated water, fish exhibited a prolonged and intense attraction period at the lower levels (0.5 to 2.0 mg/L) when compared to dispersed feeding. No significant differences between the feeding regimes existed at the higher copper levels. Mortality curves were similar in both feeding routines. Injured fish were found in the least contaminated waters. Tagging experiments indicate a movement pattern initially toward the toxicant, with subsequent reverse migration to cleaner waters. Little movement occurred during attraction and avoidance stages. Initial avoidance was not observed at any of the tested copper concentrations. Results indicate initial attraction at all concentrations may orientate fish toward the contaminants source, and subsequent avoidance behavior had little effect on survivorship rates. Our results indicate that observed trout behavior subsequent to copper discharges contributed to high mortality. The results also suggest that behavioral response of organisms to toxicants must be incorporated into work attempting to set reasonable water-quality standards in natural water bodies.
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Pedder, S.C.J., Maly, E.J. The effect of lethal copper solutions on the behavior of rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri . Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 14, 501–507 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055537
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055537