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  • Open Access
  • Article

Strontium in Otolith Microchemistry: Mechanisms, Ecological Applications, and Implications for Fisheries Management

  • Weijie Cui 1,2,3,†,   
  • Zhongtang He 1,2,3,†,   
  • Mingju Luo 1,2,3,   
  • Fengling Zhang 1,2,3,   
  • Qun Lu 1,2,3,   
  • Jianhu Liu 1,2,3,   
  • Tao He 1,2,3,*

Received: 12 Jan 2026 | Revised: 03 Mar 2026 | Accepted: 17 Mar 2026 | Published: 18 Mar 2026

Abstract

Otoliths, calcified structures in the inner ear of teleost fish, grow incrementally and incorporate chemical elements from the surrounding environment, serving as natural data loggers. Among these elements, strontium (Sr) and its isotopes have become powerful tracers in otolith microchemistry for reconstructing fish life histories, migration patterns, and habitat use. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the principles, applications, and challenges of Sr analysis, bridging biomineralization mechanisms and their practical utility in fisheries science. We first summarize the fundamental mechanisms of Sr incorporation into the otolith matrix, examining key environmental (e.g., water chemistry, salinity, temperature) and physiological (e.g., species-specific metabolism) factors that govern its deposition. We then explore the differential applications of Sr/Ca and 87Sr/86Sr ratios across diverse aquatic systems, highlighting their effectiveness in resolving complex stock structures and connectivity among freshwater, estuarine, and marine fishes. The review also addresses inherent limitations, including physiological biases and time lags in elemental uptake, which are critical for the accurate interpretation of environmental histories. Finally, we outline future research directions, emphasizing the integration of otolith Sr analysis with advanced ecological modeling to support stock assessment and conservation planning. We conclude that refining Sr-based tools is essential for developing adaptive fisheries management strategies in the face of shifting baselines driven by climate change and anthropogenic pressures.

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Cui, W.; He, Z.; Luo, M.; Zhang, F.; Lu, Q.; Liu, J.; He, T. Strontium in Otolith Microchemistry: Mechanisms, Ecological Applications, and Implications for Fisheries Management. Aquatic Life and Ecosystems 2026, 2 (1), 5. https://doi.org/10.53941/ale.2026.100005.
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