Abstract
Abstract Gross external pathological abnormalities are frequently used as indicators of anthropogenic influence in estuarine and marine waters, but little baseline information is available to identify what constitutes normal prevalences (percentages of animals affected). To establish this baseline, trawl samples were collected from 120 randomly located estuarine sites in the Virginian biogeographic province (mid-Atlantic) in 1990 and from 220 randomly located sites in the Louisianian biogeographic province (Gulf Coast) in 1991 and 1992. Sediment contaminant concentrations were measured at each site. In all, 24,291 fish representing 143 species were examined for gross pathological abnormalities, and background prevalences were estimated to be 0.5% in midAtlantic and 0.7% in Gulf Coast estuaries. Fifteen types of gross abnormalities were noted. Skin lesions were the most prevalent abnormalities in both provinces, followed by ocular abnormalities (e.g., exophthalmia, keratitis) in the Virginian Province and ...
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
