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Growth and Food Conversion by Atlantic Salmon Parr during 40 Daysˈ Exposure to Crude Oil
Author(s) -
Vignier Veronique,
Vandermeulen John H.,
Fraser Angus J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1992)121<0322:gafcba>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - fishery , crude oil , environmental science , oil spill , biology , environmental protection , petroleum engineering , geology
Parr of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were exposed to two sublethal flow‐through concentrations (averaging 0.2 and 1.0 mg/L) of Hibernia oil‐water mixture for up to 40 d to determine relative importance of loss of feeding and food conversion for this juvenile life stage. Oiled parr showed reduced growth for 14 d before growth rates approached those of controls. There were also more weight‐losing parr in oiled groups than in control groups. Reduction in growth coincided with reduced food conversion efficiency rather than reduced food intake. Food conversion efficiency was lowest for parr experiencing the higher oil exposure. Net efficiencies in both oiled groups returned to control levels within 2 to 3 weeks, although overall efficiencies in oiled groups lagged behind the control group. Liver glycogen levels were generally lower in oil‐exposed parr, whereas liver protein content and the liver‐somatic index were higher in parr exposed to the highest concentration of oil. Energy reserves were lower in pan that lost weight during the experiment in comparison with weight‐gaining pan. Results suggest that medium‐term (2 weeks to 1 month) exposure to low concentrations of oil may have transitory effects on Atlantic salmon parr, but that chronic oiling may impair growth and may influence the timing of length‐dependent smoltification.