Seasonal and regional variations in metal contamination and condition indicators in yellow perch (Perca flavescens) along two polymetallic gradients. II. Growth patterns, longevity, and condition
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Date
2008
Authors
Pyle, Gregory
Busby, Patrick
Gauthier, Charles
Rajotte, James W.
Couture, Patrice
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
Wild yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were sampled from five lakes in each of two
metal contamination gradients in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (n = 1324) and Rouyn-
Noranda, Qu´ebec, Canada (n = 1125) in the spring and summer of 2002 and 2003,
respectively, in order to examine growth patterns, longevity, and the influences of season
and region on fish condition. Fish from Rouyn-Noranda began rapid growth at a
young age, whereas fish from Sudbury lakes showed slow growth rates between ages
0–3, after which growth rates improved. Fish from contaminated lakes grew faster
and died younger than fish from reference lakes in both contamination gradients.
Fish from Sudbury had lower condition than in Rouyn-Noranda, higher condition
occurred in summer than spring, and fish from contaminated lakes had lower condition
than those from cleaner lakes. Tissue Zn concentrations were correlated with
fish condition and showed strong temporal stability. However, it is more likely that Zn
covariates, such as Cd or Cu (which were more temporally variable) influenced condition,
suggesting that long-term, broad-scale processes are more important than
short-term, lake-specific processes for establishing growth patterns, longevity, and
fish condition in metal-contaminated systems. Results from this study reveal that
fish condition must be interpreted in the light of regional, seasonal, and other factors
that can potentially influence fish growth patterns. Ecological risk assessments
that fail to take these factors into account may draw erroneous conclusions about
risk to indigenous populations.
Description
Sherpa Romeo green journal
Keywords
Yellow perch , Growth , Longevity , Fish condition , Metals , Gradient analysis
Citation
Pyle, G., P. Busby, J. Rajotte, and P. Couture. 2008. Seasonal and regional variations in metal contamination and condition indicators in yellow perch (Perca flavescens) along two polymetallic gradients. II. Growth patterns, longevity, and condition. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 14: 126-145.