Urban runoff differentially affects coho and chum salmon spawners
Presentation Abstract
In areas of the Salish Sea watershed with elevated vehicular traffic density, stormwater runoff causes pre-spawning mortality (PSM) in adult coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kistuch). Within a few hours of exposure, symptoms progress from lethargy and disorientation to loss of equilibrium, immobility, and eventually death. Although we do not know the precise cause of PSM, we previously determined that coho PSM is linked to storm events. Chum salmon (O. keta) spawning runs often overlap with coho. To determine whether chum are similarly susceptible to PSM, we co-exposed pre-spawn adult coho and chum to urban road runoff or well water in controlled exposures for 6 storm events. We monitored water quality and individual behavior throughout exposure. Exposures were terminated after 4 h or when fish became symptomatic. Only coho exposed to runoff became symptomatic. Across the 4-h exposure, chum appeared behaviorally unaffected by urban runoff. Furthermore, we employed a point-of-care blood analysis tool to measure a variety of blood parameters including ion concentrations and gases, pH, hematocrit, glucose, and lactate. Multiple blood chemistry parameters were affected in runoff-exposed coho compared to control coho. In contrast, chum exposed to runoff were much less sensitive than controls.
Session Title
Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Intersection of Occurrence, Impacts, Research, and Policy
Conference Track
Fate and Effects of Pollutants
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Pacific salmon--Effect of water quality on--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Urban runoff--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Urban runoff differentially affects coho and chum salmon spawners
2016SSEC
In areas of the Salish Sea watershed with elevated vehicular traffic density, stormwater runoff causes pre-spawning mortality (PSM) in adult coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kistuch). Within a few hours of exposure, symptoms progress from lethargy and disorientation to loss of equilibrium, immobility, and eventually death. Although we do not know the precise cause of PSM, we previously determined that coho PSM is linked to storm events. Chum salmon (O. keta) spawning runs often overlap with coho. To determine whether chum are similarly susceptible to PSM, we co-exposed pre-spawn adult coho and chum to urban road runoff or well water in controlled exposures for 6 storm events. We monitored water quality and individual behavior throughout exposure. Exposures were terminated after 4 h or when fish became symptomatic. Only coho exposed to runoff became symptomatic. Across the 4-h exposure, chum appeared behaviorally unaffected by urban runoff. Furthermore, we employed a point-of-care blood analysis tool to measure a variety of blood parameters including ion concentrations and gases, pH, hematocrit, glucose, and lactate. Multiple blood chemistry parameters were affected in runoff-exposed coho compared to control coho. In contrast, chum exposed to runoff were much less sensitive than controls.
