Occurrence of the toxic phytoflagellate Prymnesium parvum and associated fish mortality in a Norwegian fjord system

S. Kaartvedt, T. M. Johnsen, D. L. Aksnes, U. Lie, H. Svendsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

At the end of July 1989, toxin-producing Prymnesium parvum was spread through Hylsfjorden in the surge of freshwater released from a hydroelectric power plant. In total, 750 tonnes of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss died in fish farms. Prymnesium germinated in the brackish surface layer of a fjord branch which, during July, was characterized by longer residence time, higher temperatures, and lower nitrogen and silicate concentrations than the rest of the fjord system. Nutrient loading (especially phosphate) from fish farms may, however, have stimulated local growth of the alga. At the time of the first observed fish mortality, the salinity was 5‰ and the temperature 18°C. Phosphorus limitation was probably important for the production of toxin by P. parvum. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2316-2323
Number of pages8
JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Volume48
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science

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