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Seasonal variations of 137 Cs concentration in freshwater charr through uptake and metabolism in 1–2 years after the Fukushima accident
Author(s) -
Okada Kengo,
Sakai Masaru,
Gomi Takashi,
Iwamoto Aimu,
Negishi Junjiro N.,
Nunokawa Masanori
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1440-1703
pISSN - 0912-3814
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1703.12266
Subject(s) - predation , litter , ecology , biology , ecosystem , seasonality , aquatic ecosystem , plant litter , environmental science , zoology
Understanding the factors influencing 137 Cs concentrations in freshwater salmonids is crucial for reviving inland fisheries in polluted regions. We studied seasonal variations of 137 Cs concentration in charr ( Salvelinus leucomaenis ) through uptake and metabolism in forested headwaters at Fukushima and Gunma sites. Charr consumed both terrestrial and aquatic animals, and terrestrial prey was predated more in summer at both sites. The 137 Cs concentrations in litter, which is a dominant basal food resource of both forest and stream ecosystems, differed between forest and stream due to 137 Cs leaching effect on litter submerged in streams. The concentration difference in both litter and prey was greater at Fukushima site than at Gunma site. The estimated prey 137 Cs concentration at Fukushima site peaked in summer when terrestrial preys are most available, whereas it remained relatively constant at Gunma site because of the small difference of 137 Cs concentrations in between terrestrial and aquatic preys. The specific metabolic rate of charr was commonly changed with stream water temperature, greatest in summer, and lowest in winter at both sites. Because both prey 137 Cs concentrations and specific metabolic rates peaked in summer, the combination of uptake and metabolism at Fukushima site largely negated seasonal 137 Cs fluctuations in charr, whereas specific metabolic rate fluctuations could be the major determinant of charr 137 Cs concentrations at Gunma site. Our results suggested that 137 Cs concentrations in prey items, whose seasonality are varied due to initial 137 Cs fallout volume, were expected to be an important determinant for 137 Cs concentrations in charr.