Factors that may increase the risk of aquatic organisms to the harmful effects of ultraviolet-B radiation: A management perspective
- Geological Survey, Columbia, MO (United States). Midwest Science Center
Elevated levels of solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation resulting from stratospheric ozone depletion may cause harmful effects in aquatic organisms. Solar UVB radiation penetrates clear water and can have a direct biological impact on some organisms, causing lesions, infection, and mortality. Numerous evolutionary adaptations and repair mechanisms appear to have evolved in aquatic organisms for coping with solar radiation. The authors found that some species of fish are more susceptible to the harmful effects of solar simulated UVB than other species. Such differences were directly related to the amount of an unidentified dorsal skin component that may function as a natural sunscreen and protect some fish from the harmful effects of UVB. Ozone depletion arising from the destruction of ozone by chlorofluorocarbons is expected to average around 11% annually in mid-northern latitudes through the rest of the century. Since many aquatic organisms appear to exist at their limits of tolerance for solar UVB radiation, environmental changes that result in increased UVB radiation may be directly harmful to sensitive populations. Identification of risk factors and management of aquatic communities exposed to enhanced UVB require not only information about UVB climatology, but also knowledge of the sensitivity and behavioral habits of each species, and an assessment of environmental variables that may increase or mitigate UVB exposure.
- OSTI ID:
- 458351
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961149-; TRN: IM9717%%137
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 17. annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: partnerships for the environment - science, education, and policy, Washington, DC (United States), 17-21 Nov 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of SETAC 17. annual meeting -- Abstract book. Partnerships for the environment: Science, education, and policy; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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