Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 02081

Branch : Aquatic Ecology Branch

Study Plan Number : 02081

Study Title : Endocrine Disruption in Atlantic Salmon Exposed to Pesticides

Starting Date : 06/01/2001

Completion Date : 09/30/2002

Principal Investigator(s) : Haines, Terry

Primary PI : Haines, Terry

Telephone Number : (207) 581-2578

Email Address : haines@maine.maine.edu

SIS Number : 5004747

Primary Program Element : Contaminant Biology

Second Program Element :

Status : Completed

Abstract :
Atlantic salmon in seven rivers in Maine have been classified as endangered species. In 1999, only 32 adults are known to have returned to spawn in these rivers. Previous research has shown that smolts in one of these rivers (Narraguagus) have abnormally low gill Na/K-ATPase activity and did not survive salt challenge tests, demonstrating that they were unable to osmoregulate in seawater. Many of the salmon rivers in Maine receive pesticide runoff from nearby blueberry barrens. Nineteen chemicals are registered for use on blueberries, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Some of these are potent neurotoxins that interfere with olfaction in fish, causing impairment in homing ability and predator avoidance. Some may be hormone mimics that disrupt fish endocrine systems. An herbicide, Velpar (hexazinone), has been detected in Atlantic salmon rivers year-round, and recently the organophosphate insecticide Imidan (phosmet) was detected in both the Narraguagus and Pleasant rivers. Research is required to determine the extent of these pesticides in surface water and sediment in Maine’s salmon rivers, and to determine what role these contaminants play in fry survival and smoltification.
OBJECTIVE:

Determine if pesticides used on blueberry culture areas have endocrine disruption activity in Atlantic salmon.

HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED:

Exposure to pesticides produces endocrine disruption in Atlantic salmon that interferes with seawater transformation in smolts.

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U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey
11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov
Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
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Branch :	Aquatic Ecology Branch
Study Plan Number :	02081
Study Title :	Endocrine Disruption in Atlantic Salmon Exposed to Pesticides
Starting Date :	06/01/2001
Completion Date :	09/30/2002
Principal Investigator(s) :	Haines, Terry
Primary PI :	Haines, Terry
Telephone Number :	(207) 581-2578
Email Address :	haines@maine.maine.edu
SIS Number :	5004747
Primary Program Element :	Contaminant Biology
Second Program Element :
Status :	Completed
Abstract :	Atlantic salmon in seven rivers in Maine have been classified as endangered species. In 1999, only 32 adults are known to have returned to spawn in these rivers. Previous research has shown that smolts in one of these rivers (Narraguagus) have abnormally low gill Na/K-ATPase activity and did not survive salt challenge tests, demonstrating that they were unable to osmoregulate in seawater. Many of the salmon rivers in Maine receive pesticide runoff from nearby blueberry barrens. Nineteen chemicals are registered for use on blueberries, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Some of these are potent neurotoxins that interfere with olfaction in fish, causing impairment in homing ability and predator avoidance. Some may be hormone mimics that disrupt fish endocrine systems. An herbicide, Velpar (hexazinone), has been detected in Atlantic salmon rivers year-round, and recently the organophosphate insecticide Imidan (phosmet) was detected in both the Narraguagus and Pleasant rivers. Research is required to determine the extent of these pesticides in surface water and sediment in Maine’s salmon rivers, and to determine what role these contaminants play in fry survival and smoltification. OBJECTIVE: Determine if pesticides used on blueberry culture areas have endocrine disruption activity in Atlantic salmon. HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED: Exposure to pesticides produces endocrine disruption in Atlantic salmon that interferes with seawater transformation in smolts.
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility