Scientists from the UK’s University of Exeter have found that heavy metal pollution from mining has dramatically reduced genetic diversity of brown trout in south-west England.
Human activity, according to the latest findings, may also alter the genetic patterns of wild populations.
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Researchers said that occurrence of metal contaminants in rivers across England is directly linked to mining activities that dated back many years.
Exposure to high-concentrations of metals can disturb fishes’ health and negatively impact their genetic diversity and population structure.
University of Exeter lead author and postgraduate researcher Josephine Paris said: "Our research shows that brown trout populations have been severely affected by both historical and contemporary mining practices.
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"The effects of both metal contamination and changes in environmental geochemistry have driven dramatic changes in the genetic architecture of these fish."
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By GlobalDataWhen DNA samples from 15 brown trout populations from heavily-polluted and ‘clean’ rivers were compared, it was found that all populations from metal contaminated rivers derived from a single common ancestor 960 years ago.
During the industrial revolution around 150 years ago, further genetic separation occurred when rivers were again polluted with increased levels of metal contaminants at a time when trout numbers slipped substantially in heavily polluted areas such as the River Hayle.
University of Exeter research fellow in Biosciences co-author Dr Andrew King said: "The metal contaminated populations are genetically distinct from one another and we think this is a response to the unique cocktail of metals found in each river."
Image: Brown trout (Salmo trutta fario). Photo: courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.
