The Interaction of Environmental Calcium and Low pH on the Physiology of the Rainbow Trout, <i>Salmo Gairdneri</i>

Abstract

ABSTRACT Exposure of adult rainbow trout to low pH (pH 4·3) in soft water (Ca2+ = 223 μequiv/1) caused a substantial ionic disturbance which arose primarily because of large net losses at the gills. In contrast, renal ion losses were low initially and declined even further because of a pronounced reduction in urine flow. A net influx of H+ occurred across the gills but this was not sufficient to cause a blood acid-base disturbance or a renal response. Although branchial ion and H+ fluxes declined with time, blood ion levels did not return to normal and many of the fish died. Further reduction in water calcium (Ca2+ = 69 μequiv/1) provoked a higher mortality and a more substantial ionic imbalance. These results contrast sharply with the effects on trout of acid exposure in hard water (Ca2+ ⩾ 1600μequiv/l), where net ion losses and mortality are reduced and H+ uptake increased. A preliminary model for the interaction of low pH and calcium is proposed and evidence for adaptation to acid stress and for the origin of acid lethality is discussed.