THE EFFECT OF TENSION OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN ON THE TOXICITY OF UN-IONIZED AMMONIA TO SEVERAL SPECIES OF FISH

The resistance to rapidly lethal concentrations of un-ionized ammonia ranging from about 2.0 to 8.8 p. p. m. N was determined for rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdnerii Richardson), perch ( Perca fluviatilis L.), roach ( Rutilus rutilus (L.)), and gudgeon ( Gobio gobio (L.)) in tensions of dissolved oxygen 53.4 and 96.7% of air-saturation value at 15.2°C.
The relation between concentration of un-ionized ammonia and period of survival from a few hours to 13 days was investigated for rainbow trout in two tensions of dissolved oxygen, 45.7 and 100.3% of air-saturation value, at 20.1°C.
Period of survival of all the species tested decreased with rise in concentration of un-ionized ammonia.
Decrease in tension of dissolved oxygen increased the toxicity of un-ionized ammonia to all species except gudgeon, for which there was no significant difference in period of survival at the two levels of oxygen.
The effect of oxygen tension on period of survival was greatest in the lowest concentrations of un-ionized ammonia.
Resistance of perch and roach to lack of oxygen was not significantly affected, but that of rainbow trout was reduced significantly, by the presence of a small concentration of ammonia (not toxic to trout within at least 13 days).