Seasonal variation in body composition of Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, from an ultraoligotrophic alpine lake

Abstract  – Seasonal pattern of energy content was determined in a population of Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), living in an ultraoligotrophic alpine lake (altitude 1100 m) located in central Norway (62°5'N). Specific somatic energy content varied between 4.3 and 6.1 kJ · g⁻¹ in spawners and between 4.8 and 6.6 kJ · g⁻¹ in immatures. Corresponding values for specific somatic lipid energy were 0.5–1.6 kJ · g⁻¹ for spawners and 0.7–2.1 kJ · g⁻¹ for immatures. The temporal pattern in storage energy residuals (deviation from mean storage energy, all sampling periods pooled) indicated that total, protein and lipid energy accumulated in the autumn and early winter. This increase was followed by a winter decrease in somatic energy (January to April). A new increase in total somatic energy and somatic lipid energy occurred during late winter (March/April to June), while the lake was still ice covered and water temperatures ranged between 0.5 and 2.5 °C. The observed seasonal pattern of specific energy storage and lipid deposition demonstrated a considerable potential for energy accumulation in Arctic char at low temperatures. It is discussed whether freshwater lakes at high altitudes or latitudes represent a temperature-stabilised and predictable environment in contrast to the variable temperature experienced in the corresponding terrestrial system.     

Reindeer in the “Great Land”: Alaska's Red Meat Industry

This study assessed the use of Facebook by farmers and extension agents in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. One Hundred respondents (80 farmers and 20 extension agents) were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. Research findings revealed that most farmers (56.2%) reported a low level of use of Facebook, while 50% of extension agents made high use of Facebook. Major constraints to using Facebook were poor network services for farmers and power failure for extension agents. Sex, formal education and income had significant effect on the farmers' level of Facebook use. It is therefore recommended that Internet services and electricity be improved in the study area.     

Growth of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in a variable diel temperature regime

In five experiments, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr were found to grow better under conditions of rhythmically alternating water temperature (P<0.031), than control groups reared under stable temperature conditions. The daily temperature sums for the experimental and the control groups were carefully equalized and monitored in all five experiments. The experimental group was reared in a rhythmically alternating temperature regime, of 10.0 h of high temperature (16.0°C) and 10.0 h of low temperature (10.0°C), the temperature adjustments being made during the 2 h between the periods of fixed temperature. The control group were reared in a relatively stable temperature regime (13.00–13.98°C). The growth rate of the fish reared under the varying temperature conditions was higher (mean for all five experiments 1.96% day⁻¹) than that for the salmon reared under stable conditions (1.85% day⁻¹).     

Endurance of farmed and sea-ranched Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. at spawning

Endurance of farmed and sea-ranched Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. males was analysed during spawning time. The fish were endurance tested at different swimming speeds (1.6–2.1 m s^?1) in forced swim trials. The sea-ranched males (51-65 cm, n= 20) fatigued significantly earlier than the farmed males(59-72 cm, n= 20),although the sea-ranched males were significantly smaller than the farmed males. When the size difference between the two groups were corrected for, no significant difference in the endurance of the two groups was found. Farmed salmon had a significant higher fat content in white muscle (4.7%) than sea-ranched salmon (1.1%).     

Potential benefit of clove oil sedation on animal welfare during salmon smolt, Salmo salar L. transport and transfer to sea

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of clove oil (4.0 mg L⁻¹) sedation, compared with non-sedation, on the primary (plasma cortisol), secondary (osmoregulation) and tertiary (mortality) stress responses in Atlantic salmon smolts during transport and transfer to sea. Clove oil sedation during on- and off-loading sufficiently reduced the primary stress response to lower mortality (2.1%) during transfer to sea compared with unsedated fish, which experienced a mortality rate above 12.2%. The unsedated fish experienced an acute mortality that stabilized only 6 days after the transport. None of the secondary stress responses measured in this experiment could contribute towards explaining this phenomenon, with the possible exception of plasma magnesium (Mg²⁺). Plasma Mg²⁺ differed between the groups; while plasma Mg²⁺ in the clove oil sedated group returned to pre-stress levels 72 h after transport, the unsedated group showed no such recovery even 1 week after transport, which may indicate a disturbance in the hydromineral balance, and provides a plausible explanation for the delayed mortality in this group. Eugenol-based anaesthetics appear to be promising as a stress-reducing sedative for Atlantic salmon smolts, and, if used properly, this chemical could improve animal welfare and survivability during and after common aquaculture-related incidents.     

Application of char products improves urban soil quality

Urban soils are a key component of the urban ecosystem but little research has considered their quality and management. The use of char or partially combusted char products as a soil amendment is becoming popular worldwide because of perceived benefits to fertility and the potential for increasing carbon sequestration. In this study, we assessed the effect of applying coarse and fine char material on the quality of four different types of soil‐based root‐zone mixes typically used for turfgrass and general landscaping in Singapore: clay loam soil, approved soil mix (ASM, 3 soil:2 compost:1 sand), 50:50 (sand/soil) and 75:25 (sand/soil). Char briquettes made from sawdust were mixed thoroughly at rates of 25, 50 and 75% by volume with the soil mixes. Results showed that addition of char (both coarse and fine) significantly enhanced the carbon content of the mixes, with the largest increase being associated with the 50% and 75% additions. Soil nutrients (total N, extractable P, K, Ca and Mg) and mean weight diameter of aggregates were also significantly increased following the application of char. The clay loam and the 50:50 and 75:25 soil mixes were more responsive to the addition of char than was ASM.