Abstract
Laboratory studies were conducted to test the ability of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) alevins, the earliest free-swimming life stage of the species, to detect and avoid toxic levels of H+ and inorganic Al. Alevins were tested in steep gradient choice tanks using a range of H+ (pH 4.0 to 5.5) and Al (0 to 500 μg L−1) concentrations in low Ca (2.0 mg L−1) water. The young brook charr actively avoided acidic water with a pH < 5.0. Aluminum additions of 500 μg L−l increased the avoidance response. The observed behavioral response of alevins to low pH and elevated levels of Al, may be of significant adaptive advantage in systems undergoing acidification.
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Gunn, J.M., Noakes, D.L.G. Avoidance of low pH and elevated Al concentrations by Brook Charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) Alevins in laboratory tests. Water Air Soil Pollut 30, 497–503 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305218
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305218