Lethal and sublethal effects of the water-soluble fraction of Cook Inlet crude oil on Pacific herring (clupea harengus pallasi) reproduction. Final report

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5109378

Rice, S D; Babcock, M M; Brodersen, C C; Carls, M G; Gharrett, J A

The proposed sale of continental shelf leases for petroleum development in Bristol Bay, Alaska, is generating concern about the possible effects on valuable fishery resources, such as Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi), in the area. The inshore spawning strategy of herring makes them particularly vulnerable to the effects of an oil spill. Using the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Cook Inlet crude oil, the effects of lethal and sublethal exposures on prespawn adult Pacific herring, eggs, yolk-sac larvae, and feeding larvae as well as on hatching success of eggs from exposed adults were studied. The effects of feeding oil-contaminated prey to herring larvae were also examined. The life stage at which the reproductive success of Pacific herring seems most likely to be impaired by oil is feeding larvae. Even if oil is present at levels too low to threaten the survival of herring, the fisheries could be impacted because the rapid bioaccumulation of oil hydrocarbons in the edible muscle and ovarian tissues could make the herring unmarketable.

• Research Organization: National Marine Fisheries Service, Auke Bay, AK (USA). Auke Bay Lab.
• OSTI ID: 5109378
• Report Number(s): PB-90-115767/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
DATA
DOCUMENT TYPES
DRILLING
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FISHES
GULF OF ALASKA
INFORMATION
LARVAE
NUMERICAL DATA
OFFSHORE DRILLING
OIL SPILLS
PACIFIC OCEAN
PROGRESS REPORT
SEAS
STATISTICAL DATA
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES