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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