Effects of oil-laden sediments on growth and health of juvenile flatfishes

Juvenile yellowfin sole (Pleuronectes asper), rock sole (Pleuronectes bilineatus), and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) had reduced growth following 30-90 days of exposure to sediments laden with Alaska North Slope crude oil. Changes in fish health bioindicators after 90 days, i.e., increas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Main Authors: Moles, Adam, Norcross, Brenda L
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1998
Subjects:
Aquatic Science
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Alaska North Slope
north slope
Alaska
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f97-278
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f97-278
Description
Summary:Juvenile yellowfin sole (Pleuronectes asper), rock sole (Pleuronectes bilineatus), and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) had reduced growth following 30-90 days of exposure to sediments laden with Alaska North Slope crude oil. Changes in fish health bioindicators after 90 days, i.e., increases in fin erosion, liver lipidosis, gill hyperplasia, and gill parasites, coupled with decreases in macrophage aggregates, occurred at hydrocarbon concentrations (1600 µg/g) that reduced growth 34-56% among the flatfishes. Chronic hydrocarbon pollution of nearshore nursery sediments could alter growth and health of juvenile flatfishes. Recruitment of juveniles to the fishery may decline because of increased susceptibility to predation and slower growth.

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