Physiological disturbances in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri (R.), exposed at two temperatures to effluents from a titanium dioxide industry

• Published in: Aquatic toxicology 1984, Vol.5 (2), p.155-166
• Main Authors: Lehtinen, Karl-Johan, Larsson, Ȧke, Klingstedt, Gunnar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal health; aquatic organisms; brackish water; effluent; environmental degradation; physiological effects; pollution; rainbow trout; temperature; TiO 2 producing plant; veterinary medicine; waste management
• ISSN: 0166-445X; 1879-1514
• DOI: 10.1016/0166-445X(84)90006-7

Rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri R.) were exposed to the supernatant waste water (260 μl/l) from a TiO 2 producing plant in a continuous flow test (Diluent: brackish water 7‰) for 2 wk at two temperatures (7–8 and 13–15°C). Presedimentation chambers were used to separate the solid, precipitated fraction of the waste water from the soluble part. After 2 wk of exposure the fish were killed and blood samples for hematological and biochemical analyses were taken via caudal vessels. The effect pattern of the fish exposed at low temperature (7–8°C) differed from that of the fish exposed at 13–15°C. The exposure at 13–15°C significantly increased the blood hematocrit level and increased the plasma sodium and chloride concentrations. Moreover, increased plasma glucose and lactate contents were found in these fish. These parameters were unaffected in the fish exposed at 7–8°C. Instead this group suffered from a plasma hypocalcemia and a sex-dependent inhibition of erythrocytic delta-aminolevulinic dehydrates (ALA-D) enzyme activity. The effects obtained at 13–15°C were characterized as general stress symptoms. However, the effects obtained at 7–8°C indicated a more serious toxic response of the exposed fish. The reason behind this more pronounced effect at low temperature is assumed to be related to a higher concentration of metals present in the waste water at low temperature.