Abstract
Vertebral defects in adult fourhorn sculpin were used to trace heavy metal pollution in the Gulf of Bothnia (Baltic Sea). From 1978 to 1984 a total of 9789 specimens from 22 localities were X‐rayed and analysed for vertebral deformities, e.g., scoliosis, deformation and/or dislocation of individual vertebrae, etc. The frequency of fish with vertebral defects ranged between 4.3 and 39.7%, the highest frequencies being found in the vicinity of a metal ore smeltery (Rönnskärsverken) emitting heavy metals and arsenic. The possible influence of genetic factors, migration, sex, size, age and parasitic infections on the results are discussed and evaluated.
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