Application of enriched super(137)Ba tracer to mark juvenile Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)

• Published in: Environmental biology of fishes Vol. 100; no. 2; pp. 163 - 169
• Main Authors: Mirali, Hadis, Bani, Ali, Fasihi, Javad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2017
• Subjects: Acipenser; Acipenser persicus; Brackish; Freshwater
• ISSN: 0378-1909; 1573-5133
• DOI: 10.1007/s10641-016-0560-3

The present study evaluates the variations of super(137)Ba abundance in pectoral fin spine of 1-month-old juvenile Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) upon marking using the stable isotope approach. The marking of the fish was achieved by incorporation of super(137)Ba super(2+) in the calcified lattice of the pectoral fin spine through substitution with structural Ca super(2+). This process was carried out by rearing juveniles in treatment tanks containing elevated concentrations of super(137)Ba for 1, 3 and 5 days. The marked fish were then retained in natural abundance fresh and brackish waters, to evaluate the trend of exchange of super(137)Ba from the fin spines. The abundance of super(137)Ba in fin spines during marking and post-marking experiments were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that a significant isotope mark can be obtained with no mortality and 100% marking rate on the first day of exposure to the isotope. The marked juveniles maintained their isotopic signature for at least 25 days. Statistical analysis of the obtained super(138)Ba/ super(137)Ba ratios demonstrated that the successful incorporation of super(137)Ba super(2+) in pectoral fin spines provides an effective marking method for Persian sturgeon restocking programs.