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

• 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

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.