title: Effect of Total Dissolved Solids on Fertilization and Development of Two Salmonid Species.
abstract: Some studies have shown that the early life stages of salmonids are particularly sensitive to elevated concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS). We evaluated the effect of TDS released in treated effluent into Snap Lake (Northwest Territories, Canada) by the Snap Lake Diamond Mine on two salmonids native to Snap Lake: Salvenius namaycush (lake trout) and Thymallus arcticus (Arctic grayling). Exposures encompassed the embryo-alevin-fry early life stages and extended to 142 days for lake trout and 69 days for Arctic grayling. Such extended testing is uncommon with these two species. Two exposures were conducted with each species, one initiated prior to fertilization, and the other subsequent to fertilization. Fertilization, survival, and growth were not adversely affected for either species by TDS at concentrations >1400 mg/L, with the exception of survival of lake trout, which produced an LC20 of 991 mg/L in one test, and >1484 mg/L in the second test. For the specific TDS composition tested, which was dominated by chloride (45 %-47 %) and calcium (20 %-21 %), the early life stages of these two fish species were relatively insensitive. Although some authors have suggested lower TDS regulatory limits for salmonid early life stages, our study indicates that this is not necessary, at least for these two fish species and for the specific ionic composition tested.
authors.affiliation: Nautilus Environmental, 8664 Commerce Court, Burnaby, BC, V5A 4N7, Canada.
authors.forename: Josh A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Nautilus Environmental, 8664 Commerce Court, Burnaby, BC, V5A 4N7, Canada. james@nautilusenvironmental.com.
authors.forename: James R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7436-3715
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Elphick
authors.affiliation: Golder Associates Ltd, 2920 Virtual Way, Vancouver, BC, V5M 0C4, Canada.
authors.forename: Cathy A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.affiliation: Golder Associates Ltd, 2920 Virtual Way, Vancouver, BC, V5M 0C4, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D048788:Growth and Development / Q000187:drug effects; D060106:Lakes; D015873:Northwest Territories; D012487:Salmonidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D014337:Trout / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Arctic grayling; Fertilization; Lake irout; TDS