Histochemical observations on the salmonids Salmo salar L. and Salmo trutta L. and the ephemeropterans Baetis rhodani (Pict.) and Ecdyonurus venosus (Fabr.) following a simulated episode of acidity in an upland stream

Abstract

Salmonids (Salmo salar, Salmo trutta) and mayflies (Baetis rhodani, Ecdyonurus venosus) which had been exposed to simulated episodes of low pH, and low pH with elevated aluminium, were examined histochemically for the presence of aluminium and mucus. The control fish and mayflies and those exposed to low pH did not stain for aluminium, although increased mucus production was demonstrated in fish gills. Trout and salmon exposed to aluminium at low pH exhibited extensive aluminium and mucus coating of the secondary gill lamellae. No mucus was produced by mayflies but aluminium was apparent on all parts of the body. Mean aluminium concentrations of digested fish gills were 2950 and 3050 μg g−1 dry wt. for trout and salmon respectively, whilst for whole specimens of B. rhodani and E. venosus values were 1 200 and 3 175 μg g−1 dry wt.