title: Indices of stress in three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus in relation to extreme weather events and exposure to wastewater effluent.
abstract: Whole-body concentrations of cortisol and glucose were measured in three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus from two rivers (Rivers Ray and Ock) in southern England during a 30 month period in order to assess effects on the stress axis of (1) remediation of a wastewater treatment works (WWTW) effluent (River Ray) and (2) episodic changes in flow rate arising from periods of high rainfall (Rivers Ray and Ock). The postcapture concentrations of cortisol and glucose in fish from both rivers did not exhibit a seasonal periodicity but did show significant between-sample, between-site and between-river variation, superimposed upon a consistent downward trend for each analyte during the monitoring period. Corticosteroid and glucose concentrations following capture were inversely linked with a progressive increase in condition of the fish during this period. Site-dependent trends possibly related to exposure to the WWTW effluent were detected for both analytes in fish from the River Ray. For fish in the River Ray, a significant proportion of variation in both corticosteroid and glucose concentrations, additional to the downward trend with time, was accounted for by temporal proximity of the sample to exceptional flow events arising from episodes of high rainfall and high turbidity. This relationship was not statistically significant for fish from the River Ock. These data suggest that the responsiveness of the stress axis in free-living G. aculeatus may be altered by exposure to WWTW effluent and by exposure to physical changes in the aquatic environment such as those arising from extreme weather events. The magnitude of these effects may be increased by exposure to both stressors concurrently.
authors: Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK. tgp@ceh.ac.uk
authors: T G
authors: TG
authors: Pottinger
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Cook
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Jürgens
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sebire
authors: P A
authors: PA
authors: Henrys
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Katsiadaki
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Balaam
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Smith
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Matthiessen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004739:England; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D011891:Rain; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D023701:Smegmamorpha / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D006854:Hydrocortisone