This is typical a typical symptom of acid poisoning. The acid had entered
the gills of the fish and poisoned them so that they were unable to
extract salt from the water to maintain their bodies sodium levels.
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Many scientist said that this acid poising was due to the fact that
it was just after the winter and that all the snow and ice was running
down into the streams and lakes. They believed that the snow had been
exposed to many natural phenomena that gave the snow it's high acid
content.
Other scientists were not sure that this theory was correct
because at the time that the snow was added to the lakes and streams the
Ph levels would change from around 5.2 to 4.6. They believed that such a
high jump could not be attributed to natural causes. They believed that it
was due to air pollution. They were right. Since the beginning of the
Industrial revolution in England pollution had been affecting all the
trees,soil and rivers in Europe and North America.
However until recently the loses of fish was contained to the
southern parts of Europe. Because of the constant onslaught of acid rain
lakes and rivers began to lose their ability to counter act their affects.
Much of the alkaline elements; such as calcium and limestone; in the soil
had been washed away. It is these lakes that we must be worried about for
they will soon become extinct.
A fact that may please fishermen is that in lakes/rivers they tend to
catch older and larger fish. This may please them in the short run however
they will soon have to change lakes for the fish supply will die quickly
in these lakes. The problem is that acid causes difficulties the fish's
reproductive system.
Often fish born in acid lakes do not survive for they
are born with birth defects such as twisted and deformed spinal columns.
This is a sign that they are unable to extract enough calcium from the
water to fully develop their bone. These young soon die. With no
competition the older,stronger can grow easily. However there food is
contaminated as well by the acid in the water. Soon they have not enough
food for themselves and turn to cannibalism. With only an older population
left there is no one left to regenerate themselves. Soon the lake dies.
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