Differences in relative sensitivity of naive and metals-acclimated brown and rainbow trout exposed to metals representative of the Clark Fork River, Montana

Abstract

Naive and metals-acclimated juvenile brown (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed to a metals mixture containing zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium, to compare relative sensitivities to metals concentrations typical of the Clark Fork River, Montana. Differences in the survival responses (tolerance versus resistance) measured for naive fish indicated that the rainbow trout are more tolerant (higher 96-h LC50) of the metals mixture, yet the naive rainbow and brown trout showed similarities in resistance (mean time to death). Differences for metals-acclimated fish indicated that brown trout are more resistant. Thus, the relative sensitivity of brown and rainbow trout varies with both the survival response measured and pre-exposure effects of metals on the physiological condition of the animal. Brown trout continued to acquire metals resistance for up to 5 weeks during acclimation to chronic concentrations of the metals mixture. Hepatic metallothionein and copper residue levels were positively correlated in both naive and metals-acclimated trout, and an energetic cost of metals acclimation was evidenced by reduced weight in brown trout acclimated to the metals. In contrast, rainbow trout demonstrated the least degree of acclimation and no significant growth inhibition was observed.