Development and survival of embryos and alevins of the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., continuously exposed to acidic levels of pH, from fertilization

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Daye, P. G., Garside, E. T.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1979
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z79-222; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z79-222

Embryos and subsequent alevins of the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were incubated continuously from fertilization to a time 40 days after hatching at six levels of pH, 6.8 (control), 5.0, 4.5, 4.2, 4.0, and 3.7, at 5–6 °C. Embryos had an LL 50 of pH 3.9. The rate of embryonal development was not retarded by these levels. The LL 50 for alevins was pH 4.3. Externally deformed alevins were few and not related in frequency to particular levels of pH. Populations of Atlantic salmon will decline and ultimately disappear from freshwater habitats whenever the level of pH approaches 4.5 for an extended period.