Sublethal Effects of Coastal Pollution on Marine Animals

2005 ◽  
pp. 135-162
2014 ◽  
Vol 171 ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M. Wilson ◽  
Graham D. Raby ◽  
Nicholas J. Burnett ◽  
Scott G. Hinch ◽  
Steven J. Cooke

The quantity of hydrocarbons in some seas and sediments approaches the concentrations at which oil can be lethal or cause sublethal effects to marine animals in the laboratory. Field studies of the biological consequences of oil spills show good agreement with the experimental data: intertidal and subtidal benthic communities are affected and can take a long time to recover, undergoing slow and subtle changes. The temporal changes seen after oil spills are comparable with the spatial changes observed around chronic discharges, essentially a simplification of the ecosystem with dominance of a few species. These changes cannot be expressed as a single index of diversity or of physiological stress. To understand the long-term consequences of oil pollution it is necessary to monitor the community as a whole, but well defined methods and objectives are required.


2020 ◽  
Vol 642 ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Niella ◽  
AF Smoothey ◽  
V Peddemors ◽  
R Harcourt

In the face of accelerating climate change, conservation strategies will need to consider how marine animals deal with forecast environmental change as well as ongoing threats. We used 10 yr (2009-2018) of data from commercial fisheries and a bather protection program along the coast of New South Wales (NSW), southeastern Australia, to investigate (1) spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence in bull sharks and (2) environmental factors affecting bull shark occurrence along the coast of NSW. Predicted future distribution for this species was modelled for the forecast strengthening East Australian Current. Bull sharks were mostly harvested in small to larger estuaries, with average depth and rainfall responsible for contrasting patterns for each of the fisheries. There was an increase in the occurrence of bull sharks over the last decade, particularly among coastal setline fisheries, associated with seasonal availability of thermal gradients >22°C and both westward and southward coastal currents stronger than 0.15 and 0.60 m s-1, respectively, during the austral summer. Our model predicts a 3 mo increase in the availability of favourable water temperatures along the entire coast of NSW for bull sharks by 2030. This coastline provides a uniquely favourable topography for range expansion in the face of a southerly shift of warmer waters, and habitat is unlikely to be a limiting factor for bull sharks in the future. Such a southerly shift in distribution has implications for the management of bull sharks both in commercial fisheries and for mitigation of shark-human interactions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. Kwasnoski ◽  
Kristina A. Dudus ◽  
Allen M. Fish ◽  
Emily V. Abernathy ◽  
Christopher W. Briggs

1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 1187-1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Mance ◽  
A. R. O'Donnell

This paper discusses the derivation of environmental quality standards for coastal waters and the difficulties of using such standards for controlling industrial discharges. Attention is focused on the common List II substances, copper, chromium, lead, nickel, zinc and arsenic - and their effects on marine life. The adequacy of existing toxicity data is discussed and it is concluded that long exposure tests are required to provide information on sublethal effects. Such data are currently limited. It is also important that consideration be given to the effects that reducing salinities and increasing temperatures have in increasing the toxicity of these substances. The complexity of interpreting the results of laboratory toxicity data to coastal waters is discussed with reference to a study of the impact of an industrial discharge.


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