Fish mortality due to acute ammonia exposure

Abstract

Abstract. Fish mortality in the River Umia, near Villagarcia de Arosa, Pontevedra, Spain, which occurred after a discharge from a food sewage works, is studied. Physico-chemical parameters of water samples from sewage and from the River Umia were studied and concentrations of ammonia sufficiently high to cause toxic effects in fish (702 mg/1 and 302 mg/1 as total ammonia) were found. The toxicity of two concentrations of ammonia was investigated on goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.), using water quality values the same as found in the River Umia, to obtain the same concentrations of un-ionized ammonia (2·13 mg/1 and 0·91 mg/1). Fish exposed to high concentrations died within 24 h and three of six, which were exposed to the lowest concentration died within 96h. All fish at first showed symptoms of hyper excitability and hyperventilation, and at times of rest showed a decrease in respiration. Post-mortem findings generally included gill congestion and haemorrhage.