The effects of low pH, low calcium concentrations and elevated aluminium concentrations on sodium fluxes in brown trout, Salmo Trutta L.

Abstract

The effects of pH (c. 7.0, 5.4, 4.5 and 4.0), nominal Al levels (0 and 8 μmol L−1) and Ca levels (10 and 50 μmol L−1) on Na influx, efflux and netflux of brown trout have been investigated using artificial lake water of known composition. Low pH had little effect on influx, but tended to increase efflux, particularly in the low Ca treatments. A nominal addition of 8 μmol Al L−1 at pH 4.5 and 4.0 reduced influx significantly. Efflux was unaffected. Aluminium addition at pH c. 7.0 and 5.4 had no such effect. The measured Al concentrations at the end of the static 8 hr flux measuring experiments were markedly lower than the nominal amount of A1 added to the start.