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Oil Spill Linked to Fish Abnormalities

ALABAMA Oil Spill Linked to Fish Abnormalities TEXAS GEORGIA (U.S.A.) MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill released over 4 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf New Orleans of Mexico. A study reveals that the spill may be creating long-term health issues for fishes. FLORIDA Extent of the Spill Study Findings Research was conducted on fish embryos of three Gulf species including bluefin tuna, which were exposed in the laboratory to different oil concentrations associated with the Deepwater Horizon spill. Results revealed that embryo exposure to oil can cause abnormalities in fish heart and fin development. OIL SPILL SITE (MC 252 Well) Map Detail LIFE STAGE 1 Polycyclic Aromatic The fish eggs are small, fragile, and floating on the surface layer of the ocean. They develop rapidly into larvae. Tampa Hydrocarbons (PAH) PAHS are the Post-PAH chemicals Exposure Irregularities from the released oil causing The findings suggest that when fish embryos are exposed to even small concentrations of PAH, they suffer from heart irregularities and edema (swollen organs). deformities in the fish LIFE STAGE 2 O ft Epipelagic Zone Sunlight Zone 100 ft exposed to it. PAHS do Larvae are buoyant and stay close to the surface, near the oil residue in the Gulf. not break down easily in water and are very HEART RATE (Beats/Min) Heart rates for all fish dropped with increased PAH concentration. INTERBEAT VARIABILITY (Msec) Increased PAH exposure + presence of swollen organs increased heart rate variability. persistent when released in the natural environment. 300 160 Yellowfin Tuna Bluefin Tuna MEXICO Amberjack Mesopelagic Zone Twilight Zone 150 80 Deformities from PAH exposure are present. Notice the spinal curvature and the distended stomach. A Similar Study 10 In 2007, a study on the control 4.5 13.8 13.8 0.01 0.1 10 + no + edema effects of oil on fish after + no edema edema LIFE STAGE 3 the Exxon-Valdez spill in Alaska's waters, Fish that survive to adulthood move to the pelagic zone, or open ocean, where they spend their 8-10 year lifespan. Survival rate due to PAH exposure decreases. PERCENT WITH EDEMA PERCENT WITH ARRHYTHMIA researchers found Incidence of heart irregularities increased with PAH concentration. Yellowfin tuna levels were the highest. Incidence of edema increased with PAH that "transient and sublethal exposures to concentration. Bluefin tuna levels were the highest. crude oil at very low levels reduced subse- 3,300 ft quent marine survival to adulthood by 40%." 100 Source: Incardona, J., Gardner, L., Linbo, T.,Brown, T., Esbaugh, A., Mager, E., & Scholz, N. (2014). Bathypelagic Zone Midnight Zone 50 Deepwater Horizon crude oil impacts the developing hearts of large predatory pelagic fish. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), 111(15). 0.01 0.1 10 0.01 0.1 Graphic By: Jiachuan Wu, Jiaxin Liu 5,000 ft Oil Well PAH (ug/L) PAH (ug/L) Charlotte Cushing, Emily Beltt

Oil Spill Linked to Fish Abnormalities

shared by SharkTagging on May 07
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This infographic is based on a recent research by NOAA showing a direct link of the oil spill causing heart and fin deformities in large pelagic fish embryos. This study suggests that the Deepwater Ho...

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Jiaxin Liu

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Animals
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