Cold water oily fish
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Cold Water Oily Fish: Sensitivity to Oil Pollution
Introduction to Cold Water Oily Fish and Oil Pollution
Cold water oily fish, such as sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) and Polar cod (Boreogadus saida), are crucial components of marine ecosystems. These species are particularly vulnerable to oil pollution, which can have severe ecological consequences. This article synthesizes recent research on the sensitivity of these fish to oil-associated compounds and their potential as monitoring species for oil pollution in cold waters.
Sensitivity of Sablefish to Oil-Associated Compounds
Research on the deep-sea species Anoplopoma fimbria (sablefish) has highlighted its sensitivity to various oil-associated aromatic compounds, dispersants, and crude oil. Sablefish were found to be sensitive to Corexit 9500, a common dispersant, with a 96-hour median lethal concentration (LC50) of 72.2 mg/L, which is within the range reported for other fish species. Additionally, the critical target lipid body burden (CTLBB) for sablefish was determined to be 39.4 ± 2.1 μmol/goctanol, placing it at the lower end of the sensitivity range for aquatic species. This indicates that sablefish are particularly vulnerable to oil pollution, making them a significant species for studying the impacts of oil spills in deep-sea environments.
Polar Cod as a Monitoring Species for Oil Pollution
The Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) has been evaluated for its potential as a monitoring species for oil pollution in Arctic waters. Baseline levels for core oil pollution biomarkers in Polar cod were established from pristine Arctic waters, providing a reference point for future monitoring. In controlled laboratory exposure experiments, Polar cod exposed to a simulated petrogenic spill exhibited elevated hepatic EROD activity, increased bile PAH-metabolites, and higher levels of hepatic DNA-adducts. Additionally, male Polar cod exposed to simulated produced water showed a strong induction of plasma vitellogenin. These responses indicate that Polar cod are highly sensitive to oil pollution and can serve as effective bioindicators for monitoring oil contamination in Arctic environments.
Conclusion
Both sablefish and Polar cod demonstrate significant sensitivity to oil-associated compounds, making them valuable species for studying and monitoring the impacts of oil pollution in cold water environments. Sablefish's sensitivity to dispersants and crude oil highlights the need for careful management of oil spill responses in deep-sea habitats. Meanwhile, the robust biomarker responses in Polar cod underscore their suitability as a monitoring species in the Arctic. Continued research on these and other cold water oily fish is essential for understanding and mitigating the ecological impacts of oil pollution in these vulnerable marine ecosystems.
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