Effects of petroleum-contaminated waterways on migratory behavior of adult pink salmon. Final report, 1987-1989
This report describes the effect of oil-contaminated water on the migratory behavior of adult pink salmon. Salmon behavior with and without oil contamination was examined during migration through Jakalof Bay in Alaska. Behavioral responses were measured in horizontal and vertical movement patterns, swimming speed, and duration-of-return to the home stream. Three control and three treatment experiments were conducted. The treatment group was exposed to a solution of aromatic hydrocarbons, similar in composition to Prudhoe Bay crude oil, which was injected into Jakalof Bay midway between a salmon holding pen and Jakalof Creek, a migratory stream. The study found that (1) migrating salmon do not appear to avoid oil-contaminated water with hydrocarbon concentrations at levels of 1 to 10 ppb, but do experience disorientation; (2) disorientation behaviors include searching and negative rheotaxis (retreat); (3) disorientation temporarily disrupts migration, but salmon eventually return to the home stream. These findings suggest that, even at concentrations too low to cause tainting or mortality, salmon exposed to hydrocarbons during migration retreat to re-establish orientation.
- Research Organization:
- Dames and Moore, Seattle, WA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5188405
- Report Number(s):
- PB-90-120478/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
OIL SPILLS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
WATER POLLUTION
SALMON
MIGRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ACOUSTICS
BEHAVIOR
HYDROCARBONS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PROGRESS REPORT
ANADROMOUS FISHES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
DOCUMENT TYPES
FISHES
FLUID MECHANICS
MECHANICS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
VERTEBRATES
020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
550100 - Behavioral Biology