Morphological Deformities as Biomarkers in Fish from Contaminated Rivers in Taiwan

Authors

Peter Lin Sun, National Pingtung University of TechnologyFollow
William E. Hawkins, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Robin M. Overstreet, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Nancy J. Brown-Peterson, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2009

Department

Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Abstract

Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) were collected seasonally from four contaminated rivers in southwestern Taiwan for studies of morphological deformities that could be used as biomarkers of contamination. Morphological deformities found in tilapia were separated into 15 categories. Overall, the prevalence of deformities such as split fins, lower lip extension and gill deformities were significantly related to various water quality parameters, including low DO and high ammonium, lead and zinc concentrations. The persistence of tilapia in polluted waters and the development of a suite of morphological deformities suggest that tilapia can be used as sentinels of non-point source pollution in rivers.

Publication Title

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Volume

6

Issue

8

First Page

2307

Last Page

2331

Recommended Citation

Sun, P. L., Hawkins, W. E., Overstreet, R. M., Brown-Peterson, N. J. (2009). Morphological Deformities as Biomarkers in Fish from Contaminated Rivers in Taiwan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 6(8), 2307-2331.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/1216