Project Metadata Quality Assurance + Control Data Archiving

Links between tissue metal burdens in indigenous fish and metal-induced effects at the organism and population levels. (Impacts)

Objectives being Investigated
This field project has been designed to assess inter-lake variability in the responses of indigenous fish (yellow perch (YP), Perca flavescens) collected from lakes situated along a metal concentration gradient. Relations are being sought between the physiological condition of the fish and their population status versus (a) ecological factors (habitat quality, food resources), (b) toxicological factors (ambient metal concentrations) and (c) metal detoxification factors (metallothionein (MT) induction and subcellular metal partitioning).

Study/Sampling Design
Our main study area is centred around Rouyn-Noranda (Abitibi, NW Quebec), a region for which we have collected geochemical data relating to the degree of metal exposure in more than 20 lakes. The project involves the study of lakes with contrasting metal levels (esp. Cd & Zn) but similar trophic status. The lakes, all of which must possess resident fish populations, are characterized (i) from a limnological perspective, to evaluate the habitat quality for fish, and (ii) at the geochemical level to determine the ambient exposure of the fish to metals. In addition, fish are sampled in each lake and metal partitioning is determined in target tissues (gills; liver; kidney) to assess the degree of metal detoxification. For each lake, we are studying the response of the indigenous fish to the metal gradient, both at the organism (physiology, endocrine and metabolic status, growth, reproductive status) and population (abundance, production, reproductive fitness) levels.

In 2001we extended our study area to include lakes in the vicinity of Sudbury, Ontario, to test the hypothesis that lakes along the recovery gradient from acidification and metal contamination will reflect the same gradation in bioenergetic impairment that we saw in relation to heavy metal exposure in the Abitibi region. Fourteen lakes were selected and sampled and a full range of size/age of YP were collected and are presently being analyzed.

Location of Field Site(s)
Lakes in the Rouyn-Noranda area in Northwestern Quebec: Bousquet (48° 13' N, 78° 37' W), Dasserat (48° 15' N, 79° 24' W), Dufault (48° 18' N, 78° 59' W), Du Moulin (47° 32' N, 72° 57' W), Flavrian (48° 18' N, 79E 11' W), Joannès (48° 11' N, 78° 40' W), Opasatica (48° 05' N, 79° 18' W), Osisko, Renaud (45° 34.5' N, 73° 44' W), Vaudray (48° 05' N, 78° 45' W). Lakes in the Sudbury area in North-Central Ontario: Geneva (46° 45' 00" N, 81° 34' W), Half-Way, Hannah, Laurentian, Linton, Middle, Raft (46° 24' N, 80° 57' W), Robinson, Wasa, Windy

Biota Studied

Species
Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) + Benthic invertebrates (prey for yellow perch)

Metals, etc. Quantified
Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn : total tissue metals, cytosolic metals, subcellular partitioning metallothionein

Biological Endpoint(s)
basal cortisol; T3 and T4 hormones; liver glycogen reserves stress response (confinement stress) malondialdehyde, glutathione-peroxidase, glutathione-reductase, glutathione condition factor, gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index

Physical Material(s) Studied

Medium/Media
lake water sediment interstitial water surficial (oxic) sediments

Metals, etc. Quantified
Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn nutrients (N and P) seston (particulate carbon, nitrogen; chlorophyll-a)

Bibliographic References on-file with Secretariat: Yes

Data Available: Yes

Data Archived with MITHE-SN: Yes

Collaborators