The role of fish studies in estuarine pollution assessment

Elliott, Michael; Griffiths, Andrew; Taylor, C. J. L.

doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.1988.tb05558.x

Cited by 66 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Kamrnann et al 1993). Elliott et al (1988) summarised the principal hindrance to the use of a fish species as a representative indicator or sentinel organism for the assessment of contaminant levels in a particular habitat as follows: 'Contaminant levels in fish will vary with season, physiological and reproductive condition, sex, size and age, in addition to contaminant exposure. Therefore, the variability due to all but the latter has to be reduced or quantified in order to produce a high signal-to-noise ratio, such that valid spatial and/or temporal trends can be distinguished'.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal variation of total mercury concentrations and burdens in the liver of eelpout Zoarces viviparus from the Forth Estuary, Scotland:implications for mercury biomonitoring

Mathieson¹,

Sg²,

McLusky³

1996

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The utility of fishes a s biomonitors for mercury in aquatic environments is widely recognised, with skeletal muscle a s the tissue normally chosen for most monitoring programmes. The liver may also be a suitable candidate tissue for monitoring, as it concentrates many pollutants to higher levels than muscle, and is closely involved with processes of metal dynamics, storage, and detoxification. Little consideration has been given previously to the validation of the use of liver for mercury biomonitoring, with regard to quantifying natural temporal vanation. This study considered such variation in the eelpout Zoarces viviparusL., a resident estuarine fish species collected from a subtidal site near a formerly major industrial mercury discharge in the Forth Estuary, eastern Scotland Llver and skeletal muscle mercury concentrations, liver weight, and body size variables were measured for 196 individual eelpout in seven 3-month periods. Liver Somatic Index (LSI) was significantly hlgher, and liver mercury concentrations significantly lower, in the summer than In other seasons. Llver mercury burden (the mass of liver mercury per fish), in contrast, showed only llmited sign~ficant seasonal variation relative to body size, implying that the observed seasonal variation of liver mercury concentratlon (by around a factor of 3 between summer and winter) results largely from the dilution of simllar burdens by a seasonally growing and shrinking liver. Such natural seasonal variation may confound the use of the muscle/liver mercury concentration ratio, which has been proposed as evldence of fish migrat~on between waters with different levels of mercury contamination. These results also suggest that, as variation in liver mercury concentrations is closely related to seasonal vanation in LSI, liver t~s s u e may not be a reliable monitor for mercury in temperate species of marine fishes with seasonally fluctuating l~v e r size.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal variation of total mercury concentrations and burdens in the liver of eelpout Zoarces viviparus from the Forth Estuary, Scotland:implications for mercury biomonitoring

Mathieson¹,

Sg²,

McLusky³

1996

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Morphological disorders, disease, and parasite infestation can also be used to assess individual fish health (Elliott et al, 1988). Morphological disorders can include blemishes, lesions, lymphocystis-type nodules, fin rot, eye deformity, mouth ulceration, and skeletal deformities .…”

Section: Individualmentioning

confidence: 99%

Classifying Ecological Quality and Integrity of Estuaries

Borja¹,

Basset²,

Bricker³

et al. 2011

Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science

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There is an increasing need in assessing ecological quality and integrity of estuaries and lagoons. This chapter shows the most recent efforts in assessing individual biological elements (from phytoplankton to fishes), together with the integrative tools developed in different geographical areas worldwide. However, reducing complex information from multiple ecosystem elements to a single color or value is a substantial challenge to marine scientists, and requires the integration of different disciplines (chemists, engineers, biologists, ecologists, physics, managers, etc.), to reach agreement on the final assignment of ecological status. Hence, in the near future, emphasis needs to be directed at understanding the complexities of estuarine system functioning rather than simplifying and scaling down the system into smaller components. Provided for non-commercial research and educational use.Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.This chapter was originally published in Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, published by Elsevier, and the attached copy is provided by Elsevier for the author's benefit and for the benefit of the author's institution, for noncommercial research and educational use including without limitation use in instruction at your institution, sending it to specific colleagues who you know, and providing a copy to your institution's administrator.All other uses, reproduction and distribution, including without limitation commercial reprints, selling or licensing copies or access, or posting on open internet sites, your personal or institution's website or repository, are prohibited.For exceptions, permission may be sought for such use through Elsevier's permissions site at: Author's personal copy AbstractThere is an increasing need in assessing ecological quality and integrity of estuaries and lagoons. This chapter shows the most recent efforts in assessing individual biological elements (from phytoplankton to fishes), together with the integrative tools developed in different geographical areas worldwide. However, reducing complex information from multiple ecosystem elements to a single color or value is a substantial challenge to marine scientists, and requires the integration of different disciplines (chemists, engineers, biologists, ecologists, physics, managers, etc.), to reach agreement on the final assignment of ecological status. Hence, in the near future, emphasis needs to be directed at understanding the complexities of estuarine system functioning rather than simplifying and scaling down the system into smaller components.

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“…The assessment of fish assemblage structure has a high value in estuarine quality assessment (Elliott et al, 1988;Pomfret et al, 1991) although causal links have to be determined between environmental parameters and fish assemblage structure and functioning. Identification of significant associations between fish species and habitat conditions is the first step towards incorporating environmental information into fish abundance (Perry et al, 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental influences on fish assemblage distribution of an estuarine coastal lagoon, Ria de Aveiro (Portugal)

Pombo¹,

Elliott²,

Rebelo³

2005

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY: Fish assemblage was examined for patterns in spatial and seasonal structure within an estuarine coastal lagoon, Ria de Aveiro. Two years of variation in abiotic conditions were recorded to identify factors responsible for maintaining the structure of fish assemblages. Nine sites were sampled monthly with a traditional "chincha" beach-seine net between November 1998 and October 2000. Fish abundance and biomass changed significantly between sites. Temperature was found to be the most important abiotic factor affecting the abundance (number of fish) distribution of fish assemblage, which is more related to seasonal migrations than to spatial migrations. Salinity was the most important abiotic factor affecting the fish biomass, with temperature also having a major influence. The other abiotic parameters analysed also showed some influence on the distribution of fish, although, isolated from the other controlled and/or uncontrolled factors, they could not fully explain all the differences between assemblages. Feeding analysis indicates that fish assemblage is mostly dependent on small benthic and pelagic crustaceans and/or detritus, although they can feed opportunistically on other prey. The low spatial segregation of fish in relation to feeding preference indicates that, in a food-rich lagoon such as Ria de Aveiro, the environmental-biological interactions appear to have a greater effect on fish distribution than do biological interactions.Key words: fish fauna, diversity, environmental factors, Ria de Aveiro. RESUMEN: INFLUENCIAS AMBIENTALES EN LA DISTRIBUCIÓN DE LA COMUNIDAD DE PECES EN UNA LAGUNA COSTERA ESTUÁRI-CA, RIA DE AVEIRO (PORTUGAL). -La estructura espacial y estacional de la comunidad de peces fue examinada en una laguna costera estuárica, la Ria de Aveiro. La variación de las condiciones abióticas fue registrada durante dos años para identificar los factores responsables de mantener la estructura de las comunidades de peces. Nueve estaciones fueron muestreadas mensualmente con una red tradicional de arrastre tipo "chincha", entre noviembre 1998 y octubre de 2000. La abundancia y la biomasa variaron perceptiblemente entre las estaciones. La temperatura fue el factor abiótico más importante que afectó la distribución de la abundancia (número de individuos) de la comunidad de peces, fenómeno que se relaciona más con las migraciones estacionales que con las migraciones espaciales. La salinidad fue el siguiente factor abiótico más importante que afecta la biomasa de peces. Los otros parámetros abióticos analizados también demostraron una cierta influencia en la distribución de los peces, aunque, aislados de los otros factores controlados e incontrolados, no podrían explicar completamente todas las diferencias halladas en la comunidad. Los análisis de alimentación indican que la comunidad de peces es principalmente dependiente de los crustáceos de pequeño tamaño así como de detritos bentónicos y pelágicos, aunque pueden alimentarse de forma oportunística de otras presas. La baja segregación espacial ...

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The role of fish studies in estuarine pollution assessment

Cited by 66 publications

References 11 publications

Temporal variation of total mercury concentrations and burdens in the liver of eelpout Zoarces viviparus from the Forth Estuary, Scotland:implications for mercury biomonitoring

Temporal variation of total mercury concentrations and burdens in the liver of eelpout Zoarces viviparus from the Forth Estuary, Scotland:implications for mercury biomonitoring

Classifying Ecological Quality and Integrity of Estuaries

Environmental influences on fish assemblage distribution of an estuarine coastal lagoon, Ria de Aveiro (Portugal)

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