Ecoepidemiology of the effects of pollution on reproduction and survival of early life stages in teleosts

Evidence from the field and laboratory has shown that reproduction and early life‐stage survival of several species of teleost fishes have been adversely affected following the release of several classes of synthetic, organic chemicals into the environment. Field studies from many geographic areas o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fish and fisheries (Oxford, England) England), 2000-03, Vol.1 (1), p.41-72
Main Author: Murl Rolland, Rosalind
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alkylphenols
endocrine disruptors
larval mortality
organochlorines
pollution
reproduction
Teleostei
teleosts
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Summary:Evidence from the field and laboratory has shown that reproduction and early life‐stage survival of several species of teleost fishes have been adversely affected following the release of several classes of synthetic, organic chemicals into the environment. Field studies from many geographic areas over several decades have found associations between exposure to synthetic chemicals in the environment and effects on hatchability, embryological success and larval survival. In more recent research, exposure to sewage treatment and bleached kraft mill effluents has been correlated with changes in reproductive system development and alterations in the endocrine physiology of wild teleost fishes. Loss of fecundity and damage during various stages of development and reproduction have been associated with exposure to endocrine disruptors, including many currently used chemicals. The supporting laboratory studies have confirmed that various wild fish species are sensitive to certain synthetic chemicals at levels of exposure of parts per billion and parts per trillion, concentrations that are biochemically, physiologically, and environmentally relevant. This paper reviews the relevant field and laboratory research, and organizes the studies using the ecoepidemiological criteria of time‐order, strength of association, specificity, consistency on replication, coherence and predictive performance. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that ambient concentrations of synthetic chemicals in some regions are at or above concentrations at which certain species could be affected. The viability of fishery resources must be linked not only to the quantity of habitat but also to the quality of habitat.
ISSN:1467-2960
1467-2979
DOI:10.1046/j.1467-2979.2000.00006.x