Whole life history studies of coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch) following embryonic exposure to benzo[ a]pyrene

Abstract

Previously we observed that a single embryonic exposure of salmonid embryos to benzo[ a]pyrene was capable of inducing subtle behavioral changes following hatching. This study determines whether coho salmon which had survived an identical benzo[ a]pyrene exposure were capable of successfully competing with their normal counterparts under natural conditions. Initially, we examined the uptake and retention of benzo[ a]pyrene as well as the ability of this compound to compromise normal metabolic activity. Subsequently, hatchery reared coho salmon, which return to their site of birth when sexually mature, were exposed to benzo[ a]pyrene at one of two stages of embryonic development. These fish, as well as appropriate controls, were individually tagged prior to release for seaward migration. As fish returned from sea, length, weight, sex, and pathology were compared among the groups.