Seasonal Effects of Suspended Sediment on the Behavior of Juvenile Atlantic Salmon

Abstract

Short-term increases in suspended sediment levels significantly influenced the behavior of juvenile Atlantic salmon in both fall and winter trials. The initial introduction of sediment (20 mg/L, or ≈15 nephelometric turbidity units [NTU]) increased foraging activity, which subsequently declined at sediment levels greater than 180 mg/L (≈35 NTU). Cover use also declined as fish emerged to forage. No fish returned to cover at sediment levels greater than 60 mg/L (≈22 NTU) in the fall trials, whereas some fish in the winter trials never emerged from cover. A rapid decline in territorial behavior and an avoidance response (i.e., alarm reaction) at sediment levels ranging from 60 to 180 mg/L (≈22-42 NTU) were also noted in fall trials but not winter trials. Seasonal differences in the response of juvenile Atlantic salmon to suspended sediments may be explained by temperature-related changes in diel activity patterns.