Effects of metals and persistent organic pollutants on the fitness and health of juveniles of the endangered european sturgeon Acipenser sturio Exposed to W1ater and sediments of the garonne and dordogne rivers

The last remaining population of European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) lives in the Gironde-Garonne-Dordogne (France) catchment (GGD). Captive young individuals are released into GGD hydrosystem each year, as part a restocking programme. This study aims to assess health status juveniles A. sturio current conditions hydrosystem, evaluate their capacity survive and grow moderately anthropized ecosystems. 3-month-old farmed sturgeons were exposed for one month experimental that mimic environmental Garonne Dordogne rivers, followed by five months depuration. After exposure, fish waters bioaccumulated higher levels metals persistent organic pollutants, displayed reduced hepato-somatic index, had depleted lipids glycogen content liver, when compared with Reference group. However, metabolic swimming performance, well costs not impaired. 5 depuration, significant decrease K was observed all exposure conditions. HSI also decreased time. overall adaptive juvenile appeared be maintained over 6 months’ period. Juveniles seem have after being