Stable isotope and lipid assessment of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt across regional populations in North America

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) are anadromous salmonids; they inhabit both marine and freshwater habitats during distinct stages in their life cycle. Anadromy allows Atlantic salmon to play a vital role in connecting freshwater and marine ecosystems by facilitating nutrient transport and trophic interactions. This project will examine the stable isotope and lipid composition of Atlantic salmon smolt from combined archived data and new tissue samples collected from smolt wheel mortalities in North America. This project uses non-invasive techniques to gain information on an economically important and culturally significant species at risk. The goal of this project is to examine the ecology and condition of Atlantic salmon smolt populations through stable isotope analysis across regional populations in North America. Assessing the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures of Atlantic salmon smolt tissues will give us insight into their trophic ecology, diets, habitat selection, and potentially the health and productivity of their freshwater habitats. The project will also examine the condition of the smolts through various condition measurements including lipid content analysis. This information will allow us to examine if smolt condition and isotopic ratios are related to the origin population or the productivity of the smolts freshwater rearing habitat.

Faculty Supervisor:

Charles Sacobie

Student:

Partner:

Gespe’gewa’gi Institute of Natural Understanding

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Water; Sustainability & the Environment; Environmental Science and Technology

University:

University of New Brunswick

Program: