Non-avoidance of hydrocarbon laden sediments by juvenile flatfishes
Moles, A.; Rice, S.; Norcross, B.L. (1994). Non-avoidance of hydrocarbon laden sediments by juvenile flatfishes. Neth. J. Sea Res. 32(3-4): 361-367
In: Netherlands Journal of Sea Research. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ): Groningen; Den Burg. ISSN 0077-7579; e-ISSN 1873-1406, more
|  |
| Authors | | Top |
- Moles, A.
- Rice, S.
- Norcross, B.L.
|
|
|
| Abstract |
Behavioural tests were used to determine whether juvenile flatfishes were capable of detecting and avoiding sediment containing various concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons. Three species of juvenile Alaskan flatfishes: rock sole (Pleuronectes bilineatus), yellowfin sole (P. asper), and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) were tested in laboratory chambers containing contaminated mud or sand offered in combination with clean mud, sand or granule. The flatfishes were able to detect and avoid heavily oiled (2%) sediment, but they did not avoid lower concentrations of oiled sediment (0.05%). Oiled sediment was favoured over unoiled sediment if the unoiled sediment was of the grain size not preferred by that species. Oiled sand or mud was always preferred over unoiled granule. The observed lack of avoidance at concentrations likely to occur in the environment may lead to long-term exposure to contaminated sediment following a spill. Recruitment of juveniles may be affected if the exposure to oil is long enough to affect growth and survival. |
|
