Abstract
This paper discusses the potential for time of year toinfluence the outcome of aquatic hazard assessments. Exposureof fish to contaminants under winter conditions can cause themto develop Winter Stress Syndrome (WSS). Substantial mortalitycan result, potentially changing year-class strength andpopulation structure of the affected species, and alteringcommunity-level ecological interactions. Aquatic contaminantsshould be evaluated in the context of seasonal metabolicchanges that normally occur in test organisms. WSS could be animportant, but as yet unquantified, cause of mortality in manycircumstances. Wastewater discharges may pose a greater toxicthreat to fish during winter than at other times of the year.A comprehensive protocol for aquatic hazard assessment shouldinclude testing for WSS.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amlacher, E.: 1970, Textbook of Fish Diseases. T. F. H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ 302 pp.
Beitinger, T. L.: 1990, ‘Behavioral Reactions for the Assessment of Stress in Fishes’, J. Great Lakes Res. 16, 495–528.
Davis, H. S.: 1953, Culture and Diseases of Game Fishes, University of California Press, Berkeley, 332 pp.
Eller, L. L.: 1975, ‘Gill Lisions in Freshwater Teleosts’, in: Ribelin, W. E. and Migaki, G. (eds.), The Pathology of Fishes, University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, pp. 305–330.
Hocutt, C. H. and Stauffer, J. R., Jr.: 1980, Biological Monitoring of Fish, D. C. Health, Lexington, MA, 416 pp.
Johnson, M. G. and Charlton, W. H.: 1960, ‘Some Effects of Temperature on the Metabolism and Activity of the Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacepede’, Prog. Fish-Cult. 22, 155–163.
Lemly, A. D.: 1993, ‘Metabolic Stress During Winter Increases the Toxicity of Selenium to Fish’, Aquatic Toxicol. 27, 133–158.
Lemly, A. D. and Esch, G. W.: 1984, ‘Effects of the Trematode Uvulifer ambloplitis on Juvenile Bluegill Sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus: Ecological Implications’, J. Parasitol. 70, 475–492.
Lemly, A. D. and Smith, R. J. F.: 1987, ‘Effects of Chronic Exposure to Acidified Water on Chemoreception of Feeding Stimuli in Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas): Mechanisms and Ecological implications’, Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 6, 225–238.
Lemly, A. D., Finger, S. E. and Nelson, M. K.: 1993, ‘Sources and Impacts of Irrigation Drainwater Contaminants in Arid Wetlands’, Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 12, 2265–2279.
McKim, J. M.: 1985, ‘Early Life Stage Toxicity Tests, in: Rand, G. M. and Petrocelli, S. R. (eds.) Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology, Hemisphere Pub. Corp., New York, pp. 58–95.
Mehrle, P. M. and Mayer, F. L.: 1985, ‘Biochemistry/physiology’, in: Rand, G. M. and Petrocelli, S. R. (eds.), Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology, Hemisphere Pub. Corp., New York, pp. 264–282.
Meyers, T. R. and Hendricks, J. D.: 1985, ‘Histopathology’, in: Rand, G. M. and Petrocelli, S. R. (eds.), Fundamentals Aquatic Toxicology, Hemisphere Pub. Corp., New York, pp. 283–331.
Neumann, D. A., O'Conner, J. M., Sherk, J. A. and Wood, K. V.: 1975, ‘Respiratory and Hematological Responses of Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau) to Suspended Solids’, Trans Amer. Fish. Soc. 104, 775–781.
Newcombe, C. P.: 1994, Suspended Sediment in Aquatic Ecosystems: III Effects as a Function of Concentration and Duration of Exposure, Province of British Columbia, Ministry of the Environment, Victoria. 298 pp.
Newsome, G. E. and Leduc, G.: 1975, ‘Seasonal Changes of Fat Content in the Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) of Two Laurentian Lakes’, J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 32, 2214–2221.
Nielsen, L. A. and Johnson, D. L.: 1983, Fisheries Techniques, American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD, 468 pp.
Noggle, C. C.: 1978, Behavioral, Physiological and Lethal Effects of Suspended Sediment on Juvenile Salmonids. M. S. Thesis, University of Washington, Seattle, 87 pp.
Oliver, J. D., Holeton, G. F. and Chua, K. E.: 1979, Overwinter Mortality of Fingerling Smallmouth Bass in relation to Size, Relative Energy Stores, and Environmental Temperature’, Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 108, 130–136.
Petrocelli, S. R.: 1985, ‘Chronic Toxicity Tests’, in: Rand, G. M. and Petrocelli, S. R. (eds.), Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology, Hemisphere Pub. Corp., New York, pp. 96–109.
Rand, G. M. and Petrocelli, S. R.: 1985, Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology, Hemisphere Pub. Corp., New York, 666 pp.
Redding, J. W., Schreck, C. B. and Everest, F. H.: 1987, ‘Physiological Effects on Coho Salmon and Steelhead of Exposure to Suspended Solids’, Trans. Amer Fish, Soc. 116, 737–744.
Ribelin, W. E. and Migaki, G.: 1975, The Pathology of Fishes, University of Winconsin Press, 1004 pp.
Sanders, W. M., III: 1985, ‘Field Validation’, in: Rand, G. M. and Petrocelli, S. R. (eds.), Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology, Hemisphere Pub. Corp., New York, pp. 610–618.
Shuter, B. J. and Post, J. R.: 1990, ‘Climate, Population Viability, and the Zoogeography of Temperate Fishes’, Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 119, 314–336.
Shuter, B. J. and Ihssen, P. E.: 1991, ‘Chemical and Biological Fctors Affecting Acid Tolerance of Smallmouth Bass’, Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 120, 23–33.
Shuter, B. J., Ihssen, P. E., Wales, D. L. and Snucins, E. J.: 1991, ‘The Effects of Temperature, pH, and Water Hardness on Winter Starvation of Young-of-the-Year Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieui Lacepede’, J. Fish Biol. 35, 765–780.
Sigler, J. W., Bjornn, T. C. and Everest, F. H.: 1984, ‘Effects of Chronic Turbidity on Density and Growth of Steelhead and Coho Salmon’, Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 113, 142–150.
Sprague, J. B.: 1985, ‘Factors That Modify Toxicity’, in: Rand, G. M. and Petrocelli, S. R. (eds.) Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology, Hemisphere Pub. Corp., New York, pp. 124–163.
Thompson, J. M., Bergersen, E. P., Carlson, C. A. and Kaeding, L. R.: 1991, ‘Role of Size, Condition, and Lipid Content in the Overwinter Survival of Age-O-Colorado Squawfish’, Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 120, 346–353.
Toneys, M. L. and Coble, D. W.: 1980, ‘Mortality, Hematocrit, Osmolality, Electrolyte Regulation, and Fat Depletion of Young-of-the-year Freshwater Fishes Under Simulated Winter Conditions’, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 37, 25–32.
Westlake, G. F.: 1984, ‘Behavioral Effects of Industrial Chemicals on Aquatic Animals’, Hazard Assess. Chem. 3, 233–250.
Wicker, A. M. and Johnson, W. E.: 1987, ‘Relationships Among Fat Content, Condition Factor, and First Year Survival of Florida Largemouth Bass’, Trans. Amer. Fish Soc. 116, 264–271.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LEMLY, A.D. ROLE OF SEASON IN AQUATIC HAZARD ASSESSMENT. Environ Monit Assess 45, 88–98 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005738711603
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005738711603