Effects of silt and very fine sand dynamics in Atlantic salmon (<i>Salmo salar</i>) redds on embryo hatching success

Levasseur, Mylène; Bergeron, Normand; Lapointe, Martine-Emmanuelle; Bérubé, Francis

doi:10.1139/f06-050

Cited by 42 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…A smaller amount of fine sediment accumulation in plots with higher water level and flow velocity compared to plots with lower water level was reported previously (e.g. Acornley and Sear, 1999;Levasseur et al, 2006). Finally, multiple linear regression analyses with SS load and vertical hydraulic gradient (VHG) as explanatory variables indicate less sediment accumulation in upwelling zones than in downwelling zones: Accumulation = 14.2 + 0.6 × SS − 21.5 × VHG, R 2 = 0.7, p < 0.05…”

Section: Sediment Accumulation Basketssupporting

confidence: 77%

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Measurement of spatial and temporal fine sediment dynamics in a small river

Wildhaber¹,

Michel²,

Burkhardt‐Holm³

et al. 2012

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Empirical measurements on fine sediment dynamics and fine sediment infiltration and accumulation have been conducted worldwide, but it is difficult to compare the results because the applied methods differ widely. We compared common methods to capture temporal and spatial dynamics of suspended sediment (SS), fine sediment infiltration and accumulation and tested them for their suitability in a small, canalized river of the Swiss Plateau. Measurement suitability was assessed by data comparison, relation to hydrological data and in the context of previously published data. SS concentration and load were assessed by optical backscatter (OBS) sensors and SS samplers. The former exhibit a better temporal resolution, but were associated with calibration problems. Due to the relatively low cost and easy mounting of SS samplers, they can provide a higher spatial distribution in the river's cross section. The latter resulted in a better correlation between sediment infiltration and SS load assessed by SS samplers than SS concentrations measured with OBS sensors. Sediment infiltration baskets and bedload traps capture the temporal and spatial distribution of fine sediment infiltration. Data obtained by both methods were positively correlated with water level and SS. In contrast, accumulation baskets do not assess the temporal behaviour of fine sediment, but the net accumulation over a certain time period. Less fine sediment accumulated in upwelling zones and within areas of higher mean water level due to scouring of fine sediments. Even though SS and sediment infiltration assessed with the bedload traps increased from up-to downstream, less fine sediment accumulated downstream. This is probably also attributable to more scouring downstream.

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Section: Sediment Accumulation Basketssupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Julien and Bergeron, 2006;Levasseur et al, 2006;, the USA (e.g. Lisle and Lewis, 1992), and the United Kingdom (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of spatial and temporal fine sediment dynamics in a small river

Wildhaber¹,

Michel²,

Burkhardt‐Holm³

et al. 2012

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…Another study on salmonids on PEI (Cunjak et al, 2002) also found no relationship between fine sediment accumulation (<2 mm) and salmonid (brook trout and Atlantic salmon) egg survival to emergence. Similarly, Levasseur et al (2006) found no relationship between Atlantic salmon survival to pre-emergence and total percent of fines <2 mm in artificial redds. However, their study showed that the proportion of silt and very fine sand (<0.125 mm) explained 83% of the variability in embryo survival.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus frontinalis) Egg Survival and Development in Streams Influenced by Agriculture

Alberto¹,

Courtenay²,

Hilaire³

et al. 2017

FisheriesSciences.com

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Abstract:Increased sedimentation in surface waters due to anthropogenic activities can lead to the deterioration of salmonid spawning habitat through infiltration of excessive fine sediment into redds. This study assessed the effects of sediment on salmonid reproductive habitat on Prince Edward Island, Canada by evaluating egg survival and fry length using brook trout egg in situ incubations. In-stream egg incubators were buried in the substrate of streams in three watersheds with between 10 and 69% agricultural land-use during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. Accumulated incubator sediment load and associated particle size, incubator organic matter and stream parameters temperature, velocity, bed sediment and particle size were measured over the period of study. There was no significant difference in embryo survival among watersheds. Survival was not related to fine sediment; instead, it increased with higher average temperature that was in turn associated with the presence of groundwater upwelling in the stream. The size of the fry was also not significantly different between watersheds with varying agricultural activity. Fry length was most strongly related to sediment organic matter content. Brook trout are widespread in PEI rivers, including in many rivers that have high sediment loads due to intensive agricultural land use. This species may avoid the adverse effect of fine sediment through their natural adaptation of using groundwater upwelling for spawning. Sedimentation is of particular concern on PEI because of its potential to impact spawning habitat for native salmonids, namely brook trout and Atlantic salmon (Merz et al., 2004;Curry and MacNeill, 2004). While brook trout remain widespread on PEI, Atlantic salmon is only present in about one third of its former rivers (Cairns and MacFarlane, 2015) and its decline has been attributed to a variety of factors, including excessive sedimentation (Guignion et al., 2010). In contrast to the situation on PEI, there is evidence of the decline of brook trout in other parts of the world that has been attributed to landscape alteration (Stranko et al., 2008). Thus, the study of the impacts of sedimentation on brook trout spawning can provide some insight into the persistence of this species on PEI despite the seemingly adverse conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of deposited sediment on brook trout survivorship and fry length on PEI. This study tested the hypothesis that sediment is a limiting factor in salmonid egg survival to hatching and emergence. Survival was assessed by placing in-stream egg incubators in three watersheds with varying degrees of agricultural land-use during two separate spawning seasons. Eggs were monitored for hatching and swimup over the early spring months and the relationship between survival and fine sediment accumulated within the incubators was assessed. Keywords Materials and Methods Study sitesThree rivers on PEI with varying degrees of agricultural landuse within the watershed were selected for the study: Whe...

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“…However, other studies found no clear relationships between these parameters and survival rates (d g : Chapman 1988;Rubin 1998;Ingendahl 2001;F i : Ingendahl 2001). Neither percentage of fine sediment nor these grain size-based measures showed to be well related to survival rates in studies on Atlantic salmon (Greig et al 2005a;Levasseur et al 2006). Greig et al pointed out that the processes governing oxygen flux through gravel riverbeds are much more complex, comprising a multitude of interacting factors such as organic matter, which causes a high biological oxygen demand during degradation (Greig et al 2007).…”

Section: Sediment Deposition and Riverbed Clogging Influencing Embryomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Greig et al pointed out that the processes governing oxygen flux through gravel riverbeds are much more complex, comprising a multitude of interacting factors such as organic matter, which causes a high biological oxygen demand during degradation (Greig et al 2007). A considerable influence on oxygen supply to embryos was suggested to be due to the finest parts of sediments-silt and clay, finally affecting the survival rate (Greig et al 2005a;Julien and Bergeron 2006;Levasseur et al 2006). Oxygen consumption by Atlantic salmon embryos was restricted even by small quantities of clay forming a thin coating around the eggs (Greig et al 2005a, b).…”

Section: Sediment Deposition and Riverbed Clogging Influencing Embryomentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and land-use changes affecting river sediment and brown trout in alpine countries—a review

Scheurer

Alewell

Bänninger

et al. 2008

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Background, aim, and scope Catch decline of freshwater fish has been recorded in several countries. Among the possible causes, habitat change is discussed. This article focuses on potentially increased levels of fine sediments going to rivers and their effects on gravel-spawning brown trout. Indications of increased erosion rates are evident from land-use change in agriculture, changes in forest management practices, and from climate change. The latter induces an increase in air and river water temperatures, reduction in permafrost, changes in snow dynamics and an increase in heavy rain events. As a result, an increase in river sediment is likely. Suspended sediment may affect fish health and behaviour directly. Furthermore, sediment loads may clog gravel beds impeding fish such as brown trout from spawning and reducing recruitment rates. To assess the potential impact on fine sediments, knowledge of brown trout reproductive needs and the effects of sediment on brown trout health were evaluated. Approach We critically reviewed the literature and included results from ongoing studies to answer the following questions, focusing on recent decades and rivers in alpine countries.-Have climate change and land-use change increased erosion and sediment loads in rivers? -Do we have indications of an increase in riverbed clogging?-Are there indications of direct or indirect effects on brown trout from increased suspended sediment concentrations in rivers or from an increase in riverbed clogging?Results Rising air temperatures have led to more intensive precipitation in winter months, earlier snow melt in spring, and rising snow lines and hence to increased erosion. Intensification of land use has supported erosion in lowland and prealpine areas in the second half of the twentieth century. In the Alps, however, reforestation of abandoned land at high altitudes might reduce the erosion risk while intensification on the lower, more easily accessible slopes increases erosion risk. Data from laboratory experiments show that suspended sediments affect the health and behaviour of fish when available in high amounts. Point measurements in large rivers indicate no common lethal threat and suspended sediment is rarely measured continuously in small rivers. However, effects on fish can be expected under environmentally relevant conditions. River bed clogging impairs the reproductive performance of gravel-spawning fish. Discussion Overall, higher erosion and increased levels of fine sediment going into rivers are expected in future. Additionally, sediment loads in rivers are suspected to have considerably impaired gravel bed structure and brown trout spawning is impeded. Timing of discharge is put forward and is now more likely to affect brown trout spawning than in previous decades. Conclusions Reports on riverbed clogging from changes in erosion and fine sediment deposition patterns, caused by climate change and land-use change are rare. This review identifies both a risk of increases in climate erosive forces and fine sedi...

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Effects of silt and very fine sand dynamics in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) redds on embryo hatching success

Cited by 42 publications

References 20 publications

Measurement of spatial and temporal fine sediment dynamics in a small river

Measurement of spatial and temporal fine sediment dynamics in a small river

Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus frontinalis) Egg Survival and Development in Streams Influenced by Agriculture

Climate and land-use changes affecting river sediment and brown trout in alpine countries—a review

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