Otolith microchemical analysis

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Otolith microchemical analysis is a technique used in fisheries management and fisheries biology to delineate stocks and characterize movements, and natal origin of fish. The concentrations of elements and isotopes in otoliths are compared to those in the water in which the fish inhabits in order to identify where it has been. In non-ostariophysian fishes, the largest of the three otoliths, or ear bones, the sagitta is analyzed by one of several methods to determine the concentrations of various trace elements and stable isotopes. In ostariophysian fishes, the lapilli is the largest otolith and may be more commonly analysed.

Relevance

Fisheries management requires intimate knowledge of fish

anadromous whitefish.[2]

Natal origin is equally critical to understand because areas where fish spawn and inhabit during their critical

larval period must be identified and protected. Natal origin is also important in determining whether regions are sources or sinks for stocks of fish. In the past natal origin had to be assumed based upon collection on spawning grounds. In recent years otolith microchemistry has shown that this is not always the case. It has provided an accurate way to assess the natal origin of fish without collecting them on the spawning grounds. Otolith microchemistry has been used to accurately identify estuarine nursery areas of fish.[3]

Chemical Composition

The otoliths begin to form shortly after the fish hatches. Otoliths are composed of a crystalline

alkaline earth metals to substitute in for calcium in the aragonite without affecting the crystalline structure. Other elements and stable isotopes can be deposited in lower concentrations within the aragonite structure and in the protein matrix. The uptake of chemicals into the otolith is multi-stage and complex, but the chemical composition of the discrete layers are proportional to that of the ambient water in which the fish is inhabiting at the time of deposition.[4] These discrete layers create a temporal record of the water in which the fish has inhabited. There are 3 pairs of otoliths in bony fish, but only the largest, known as the saggita, is commonly used for microchemical analysis. The core of the otolith corresponds to the earliest larval period of the fish's life. Thus the microchemistry of the core of the otolith can be used as a means of inferring natal origin of fish.[1]

Analysis Methods

Water

A recent advance in approach to otolith microchemical analyses involves

freshwater
. Despite numerous differences in chemical composition the two environments can be easily distinguished with just two elemental concentrations; Ba and Sr. Ba occurs in higher concentrations in freshwater and lower concentrations in marine waters. Inversely, Sr occurs in higher concentrations in marine waters and lower concentrations in freshwater. This relationship is clearly evident in otolith chemistry.

While delineating fresh waters from marine is relatively straightforward, finer-scale resolution is required to examine spatial and temporal variation within biomes. In freshwater environments, examining Sr87/Sr86 isotope ratios is often employed to provide greater spatial resolution.[5]

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (

ICP-AES) are two common techniques that work by directing superheated plasma at the water sample and analyzing the gasses given off for trace amounts of different chemicals. Another Common technique is a beam based approach known as Proton-Induced X-ray Emission. In this technique a beam of protons is directed at the sample and the subsequent x-ray
emissions are analyzed to determine chemical makeup of the sample.

Otolith

Once chemical signatures of regions of water are identified, the otoliths can be analyzed for comparison. Otoliths are examined and analyzed in one of two basic ways. The entire otolith can be sampled, or a portion of the otolith can be isolated through a targeted assay.[4] Both approaches begin with careful cleaning and preparation of the otoliths to be analyzed.

When data for fish movement over time or natal origin data is desired then a targeted portion approach is used. This approach is also known as a beam based approach because it uses a focused beam to analyze a small portion of the otolith at a time. All beam based techniques begin with cutting the otolith width wise through the core to reveal a cross section containing every layer from the origin outward. This section is placed in a polyester resin to hold it in position. A beam is then shot at the desired area and the chemical composition analyzed. For natal origin studies the core is analyzed. For temporal variation studies, a transect from the core through all the layers to the outer edge of the otolith is analyzed with the beam. Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) is the most accurate and versatile. LA-ICPMS has been used for numerous natal origin and temporal variation studies.[2][6] The technique uses an extremely fine beam laser to ablate, or burn away, a very shallow layer of the otolith. The emissions from this are then analyzed for chemical composition.

Stable isotope values of otoliths have also been used to determine climate in the past[7] Fish otoliths as old as 172 million years have been used to study the environment in which the fish lived.[8] Robotic micromilling devices have been used to recover very high resolution records of diet, life history and temperatures throughout the life of the fish, including their natal origin[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Campana, S. E., Fowler, A. J. and C. M. Jones. 1994. Otolith elemental fingerprinting for stock identification of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic science 51: 1942–1950
  2. ^ a b Halden, N.M. and L.A. Friedrich. 2008. Trace-element distribution in fish otoliths: natural markers of life histories, environmental conditions and exposure to tailings effluence. Mineralogical Magazine 73:593-605.
  3. ^ Thorrold, S. R., Jones, C. M., Swart, P. K. and T. E. Targett. 1998. Accurate classification of juvenile weakfish Cyniscion regalis to estuarine nursery areas based on chemical signatures in otoliths. Marine ecology progress series 173: 253-265
  4. ^ a b Campana, S. E. 1999. Chemistry and composition of fish otoliths: pathways, mechanisms and applications. Marine Ecology Progress Series 188: 263-297.
  5. ^
    S2CID 19533349
    .
  6. ^ Mohan, J.A. 2009. Habitat utilization of juvenile striped bass (Morone saxatili)s in Albemarle Sound inferred from otolith and water chemistries. MS Thesis. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
  7. ISBN 9781118664025
    .
  8. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0199:OICFOP>2.3.CO;2
    .
  9. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2006.07.003.[dead link
    ]
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