Publication
Title
Synergism between elevated temperature and nitrate: Impact on aerobic capacity of European grayling, Thymallus thymallus in warm, eutrophic waters
Author
Abstract
Climate warming and nitrate pollution are pervasive aquatic stressors that endanger the persistence of fishes prevailing in anthropogenically disturbed habitats. Individually, elevated nitrate and temperature can influence fish energy homeostasis by increasing maintenance costs and impairing oxygen transport capacity. However, it remains unknown how fish respond to simultaneous exposure to elevated temperature and nitrate pollution. Hence, we examined the combined effects of nitrate and elevated temperatures on aerobic scope (AS, maximum standard metabolic rates) and cardiorespiratory attributes (haemoglobin HB, haematocrit HCT, relative ventricle mass RVM, and somatic spleen index SSI) in a freshwater salmonid, Thymallus thymallus. A 3 x 2 factorial design was used, where fish were exposed to one of three ecologically relevant levels of nitrate (0, 50, or 200 mg NO3- l(-1)) and one of two temperatures (18 degrees C or 22 degrees C) for 6 weeks. Elevated temperature increased AS by 36 % and the improvement was stronger when coupled with nitrate exposure, indicating a positive synergistic interaction. HB was reduced by nitrate exposure, while HCT was independent of nitrate pollution and temperature. Stressor exposure induced remodeling of key elements of the cardiorespiratory system. RVM was 39 % higher in fish exposed to 22 degrees C compared to 18 degrees C but was independent of nitrate exposure. SSI was independent of temperature but was 85 % and 57 % higher in fish exposed to 50 and 200 mg NO3- l(-1), respectively. Taken together, these results highlight that simultaneous exposure to elevated temperatures and nitrate pollution offers cross tolerance benefits, which may be underscored by cardiorespiratory remodeling.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Aquatic toxicology. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2020
ISSN
0166-445X
DOI
10.1016/J.AQUATOX.2020.105563
Volume/pages
226 (2020) , 9 p.
Article Reference
105563
ISI
000565498500006
Pubmed ID
32673887
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Adaptive responses of an aquatic vertebrate to chemical pollution.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.10.2020
Last edited 12.12.2024
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