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Several species of Coho salmon are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Photo courtesy NOAA.
Exposure to low concentrations make salmon susceptible to predation
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — Researchers have long known that dissolved metals can be toxic to fish at relatively low concentrations. Some trout species, for example, can be poisoned by very low levels of zinc.
Now, some new research shows that tiny amounts of copper — from brake linings or mining operations, for example — affect salmons’ sense of smell so much that they can’t detect a compound that normally alerts them to danger.
“A copper-exposed fish is not getting the information it needs to make good decisions,” said Jenifer McIntyre, a postdoctoral research associate in Washington State University’s Puyallup Research and Extension Center. (more…)
Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, Environment, rivers, water | Tagged: Bristol Bay, copper, Environment, salmon, Schreckstoff, toxic metals, Washington State University | Leave a Comment »
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