Acidification effects on larval striped bass, Morone saxatilis in Chesapeake Bay tributaries: A review

Abstract

Reduced striped bass populations along the East Coast of the United States have prompted numerous studies to assess various factors contributing to the decline. Available data from in-situ, on-site and laboratory studies with striped bass in conjunction with water quality and contaminants data confirm that the eastern shore rivers of the Chesapeake Bay (Choptank, Nanticoke, and Pocomoke Rivers) are susceptible to acidic conditions. The Choptank and Nanticoke Rivers are significant striped bass spawning areas. Acidification conditions (low pH, A1, low hardness) were documented in these systems in 1984 at levels reported to cause high mortality to striped bass larvae. Striped bass populations in several western shore tributaries such as the Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Patuxent, and Rappahannock Rivers also appear to be vulnerable to acidic pH conditions. In-situ toxicity studies documenting actual striped bass larval mortality are lacking in these systems; however, based on laboratory data it appears that potentially toxic acidic conditions can exist. Although certain Chesapeake Bay spawning tributaries do exhibit acidic conditions during spawning periods, other systems are resistant to acidification. The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C & D Canal), Elk River and Susquehanna River of the Upper Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River on the western shore appear to be resistant to reductions in pH. The upper Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River are major striped bass spawning areas. Therefore, reduced striped bass production in these systems may be related to factors other than acidification.Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 35 (1987) 87-96.

Environmental Effects on Survival of Eggs, Larvae, and Juveniles of Striped Bass in the Choptank River, Maryland

“…River flow during the postlarval period and rainfall during the early postlarval period were significantly correlated with each other (P < 0.05, r = 0.80). Rainfall obviously affects river flow and also is associated with acidic, potentially toxic, conditions in at least some striped bass spawning sites in the Chesapeake Bay area, including the Choptank River (Hall 1987). Minimum water temperature during the peak spawning period and rainfall during the early postlarval period were not significantly correlated with one another (P < 0.36, r = -0.48).…”

“…The combination of acidic precipitation, acidic soils, and low-buffering capacity of surface waters create acidic conditions in coastal plain spawning areas such as the Choptank River (Hall 1987). Increased metal solubility at low pH enhances water toxicity to early life stages of fish (Peterson et al 1982) and striped bass in particular .…”

Fishes as indicators of environmental and ecological changes within estuaries: a review of progress and some suggestions for the future

“…A combination of these techniques would assist in the identification of potential threats to the estuarine biota, especially the fishes. Although most current indices depend on juvenile and adult stock information, the increasing data on larval fish dynamics in estuaries (Hall, 1987) bodes well for future ecological and environmental health indices.…”

Consumption, Selectivity, and Use of Zooplankton by Larval Striped Bass and White Perch in a Seasonally Pulsed Estuary

“…Prior studies have indicated a number of possible factors that influence and, in some cases, may determine larval survival in Morone. Striped bass larvae are affected directly by temperature (Dey 1981: Morgan andRasin 1982;Borcman 1983;Uphoff 1989;Rutherford and Houdc 1995;Secor and Houde 1995), salinity (Turner and Parley 1971;Morgan et al 1981), and dissolved oxygen (Turner and Parley 1971), as well as contaminants and low-pH events (Hall et al 1985;Hall 1987;Uphoff 1989). Temperature has also been implicated in survival of white perch eggs and larvae (Morgan and Rasin 1982;Margulies 1989).…”