Gene Expression and Growth as Indicators of Effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2-2013

Department

Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Abstract

The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill has great potential to negatively affect estuarine fish populations. In order to assess possible impacts of this event, a series of sublethal lab experiments were performed, using the economically and ecologically important species spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus). Larval and juvenile spotted seatrout were exposed to sublethal concentrations of high energy water accommodated fraction (HEWAF), chemically enhanced water accommodated fraction (CEWAF), or dispersant alone in an acute exposure. Response to exposure was evaluated with quantative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to examine expression of cytochrome P-4501A (CYP1A). Growth of larvae and juveniles over the duration of the experiment was measured as an index of physiological response. Our data showed that the different life stages respond differently to crude and dispersed oil, with larval spotted seatrout affected most by CEWAF, while juvenile spotted seatrout were affected to a greater extent by HEWAF. In both cases, the treatment with the highest CYP1A levels resulted in the greatest reductions in growth.

Publication Title

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A: Current Issues

Volume

76

Issue

21

First Page

1198

Last Page

1209

Link to Full Text

Find in your library

Share

COinS