A methodological evaluation of the determination of critical oxygen threshold in an estuarine teleost

Abstract

One measure of hypoxia tolerance is the critical oxygen threshold, Pcrit, which is the point where standard metabolism can no longer be maintained through aerobic processes. Traditionally, Pcrit was determined using closed respirometry, whereby the fish's respiration naturally lowered O2. More recently, intermittent flow techniques have been adopted, where N2 is used to displace O2, which ostensibly reduces end-product build-up. This study used a paired design on the marine teleost, red drum. Pcrit is comparable between closed (4.6±0.2 kPa; mean±s.e.m.) and intermittent flow (4.4±0.2 kPa; mean±s.e.m.) respirometry. pCO2, ammonia and pH changes within the chamber were measured prior to the onset of Pcrit and at the end of a typical Pcrit trial and revealed changes in water chemistry in both closed and intermittent flow. Pcrit values were similar in both methods of hypoxia induction regardless of subsequent water chemistry changes that occurred in both methods.

Keywords

• hypoxia
• tolerance
• fish
• respirometry
• nitrogen
• pcrit