200755200 - Use of LA-ICPMS and fin ray microchemistry to examine historic and present movement patterns in Upper Columbia River white sturgeon
Sponsor: Ministry of Environment
Short description: We will determine whether LA-ICPMS techniques are able to discern movement patterns in Columbia River mainstem areas with high tributary inflows, and potential changes in movement patterns associated with completion of the Keenleyside Dam (1969).
Location: province, subbasin
Budgets: FY08: $54,900 | FY09: $20,625
Primary species:
Resident: White Sturgeon: Upper Columbia River Population
Objectives
| Objective | Description | Subbasin plan | Strategies |
| 1 Undertake LA-ICPMS using available samples | Archived collections of white sturgeon fin ray cross sections provide an opportunity to understand present and historic movement patterns using LA-ICPMS techniques and the analysis of changes in the elemental composition within fin ray annuli. Activities within this objective will identify the appropriate samples for analysis based on factors such as age, location of capture, recapture history and radio tracking history of individual samples/fish. These samples will then undergo LA-ICPMS analysis with a broad variety of elements being analyzed at once. | Intermountain | Province level objective 2B - Focus restoration efforts on habitat and ecosystem conditions and functions that will allow for expanding and maintaining diversity within, and among, species in order to sustain a system of robust populations... |
| 2 - Investigate past movement patterns | Fin ray microchemistry reflects the composition of watr in which fish reside. This project component therefore includes the compilation of existing water chemistry data for the study area, including all significant tributaries. Data from the fin ray elemental analysis is translated to age and calender year. Variations in the chemical signatures of individual fish are interpreted using multivariate and Bayesian analysis in order to designate movement patterns for individual fish, and identify potential groups with similar movement patterns. Water chemistry information and known locations of fish based on radiotracking and the capture history of each fish can then be used to identify the geographic locations/area characterized by a particularly chemical signature. The end result of the analysis is the identification of historic and present movment patterns of individual fish, and evaluation of whether there are distinct groups with similar movement patterns. The analysis will also examine whether movment patterns have shifted due to upstream impoundments and flow regulation. The development of this anlaytical technique for white sturgeon could then be used on similar data sets derived from fin rays in other areas of the basin, for white sturgeon and other species. | Intermountain | Province level objective 2B - Focus restoration efforts on habitat and ecosystem conditions and functions that will allow for expanding and maintaining diversity within, and among, species in order to sustain a system of robust populations... |
Narrative
Recommendations
- ISRP: Unranked
- Council: Not fundable
- BPA: Not fundable