The role of environmental transfer of macro-elements in the Brown trout Salmo trutta

Abstract

In natural habitat of river Słupia researchers observe the fall condition among Brown trouts and their morbidity on ulcerative dermal necrosis. Trout's shape is strictly connected with elemental economy. In recent study we analyse the macroelements economy (Na, Mg, K, Ca, P) in trout's organism on different growth stages: young and adult individuals, inside trout's organs (muscles, gills, liver, fins), in periods of 2006-2007 and 2011-2012. We analyse the concentrations of chosen chemical elements directly in river Słupia and tributaries (small rivers: Glaźna, Kwacza, Skotawa, Kamienna) in demersal muds and river vegetation (2006-2007). We also analyse macroelements in trout’s spawn and sperm (2012). In all kinds of samples we noted relatively homogeneous concentrations of macroelements. We obtain high correlations coefficients between elemental pool of trout’s organizm (young or adult) and natural environment (r=0.74-0.99, p<0.05). Our results confirm that macroelemental balance in Brown trout's organism is exactly connected with natural habitat. We also demonstrated the importance of time which trout spends in environment in accumulation of macroelements (longer exposition on environmental factors - higher concentration of macroelements).