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Susceptibility of starved, juvenile smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieui (Lacépède) to low pH
Author(s) -
Kwain W.,
McCauley R. W.,
MacLean J. A.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1984.tb04896.x
Subject(s) - micropterus , bass (fish) , overwintering , biology , juvenile , zoology , hydrogen ion , fishery , ecology , ion , chemistry , organic chemistry
Juvenile smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieui , were starved over a period of 6 months in the laboratory and their survival in waters of low pH tested. The ability of the bass to withstand the toxic effects of hydrogen ion decreased with time. The LC50 (96‐h) changed from pH 3.7 to pH 4.4 over the experimental period. During the final days, the decrease in the threshold was greatly accelerated. In the wild, some overwintering bass are subjected to pulses of water as low as pH 4.7 as a result of vernal snowmelt. Bass at the end of winter are often emaciated and are especially susceptible to acid stress.