loading page

A regional analysis of trace element water chemistry with applications for reconstructing environmental life history of fishes
  • Martin Hamel,
  • Wesley L. Gerrin
Martin Hamel
University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources

Corresponding Author:hamel@uga.edu

Author Profile
Wesley L. Gerrin
University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources
Author Profile

Abstract

Trace elements and minerals can be important for physiological and biochemical functions in aquatic organisms and are also permanently retained in metabolically inert structures in fish, such as otoliths, which can be examined to reconstruct environmental history. Despite the importance of trace elements for biological function and environmental reconstruction, their distribution and dynamics in river systems is poorly understood. The objective of our study was to quantify trace element concentration data from across 14 river basins in Georgia, USA to create elemental concentration profiles and illustrate how spatial changes in water chemistry can be used to construct research hypotheses or make management decisions using results from chemical analyses on hard calcified parts of fish. Principal component analysis revealed substantial variation in water chemistry among and with river basins. Pairwise comparisons of Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca ratios were useful in quantifying specific differences among river systems within river basins. These data will be useful for establishing a baseline for long-term water chemistry monitoring and provides a framework for future fish chemistry research.
Submitted to River Research and Applications
19 Mar 2024Submission Checks Completed
19 Mar 2024Assigned to Editor
17 Nov 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Nov 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
06 Dec 20241st Revision Received
09 Dec 2024Submission Checks Completed
09 Dec 2024Assigned to Editor
09 Dec 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Dec 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Dec 2024Editorial Decision: Accept