Effect of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons upon cardio-respiratory function in the common sole (Solea solea)

Abstract

The long term consequences of oil exposure upon marine populations are still poorly evaluated. One particular missing piece of information relates to the link between oil exposure, individuals' ability to face environmental contingencies and populations' production and dynamics. In that context, the present paper investigates the impact of oil exposure upon fish cardio-respiratory performance, this performance being viewed as a key determinant of individual fitness. Experimental conditions replicated the contamination conditions observed during the weeks that immediately followed the Erika oil spill (west coast of France; December 1999). Sole (Solea solea), were exposed to number-2 oil for 5 days and were then challenged with an acute rise in temperature (from 15 to 30 degrees C at 1.5 degrees Ch(-1)). Oxygen consumption, cardiac output, heart rate and stroke volume were monitored throughout. Experimental results showed that compared to uncontaminated control animals, oil-exposed sole displayed impaired cardio-respiratory responses and were unable to meet the temperature-driven increase in tissues oxygen demand. The relationship between oxygen consumption and cardiac output indicated that oil-exposed fish had recourse to venous oxygen stores very early in the thermal challenge (20 degrees C). In control fish there was no evidence for depletion of venous oxygen store until above 25 degrees C.

Influence of Hydrocarbons Exposure on Survival, Growth and Condition of Juvenile Flatfish: A Mesocosm Experiment

“…It was hypothesized that the relative failure of the cohort present in the nursery ground at the time of the Erika oil spill was linked to this impaired ability for environmental adaptation (Claireaux and Davoodi 2010;Davoodi and Claireaux 2007). This study strengthened this view.…”

Acute toxicity of crude oil water accommodated fraction on marine copepods: The relative importance of acclimatization temperature and body size

“…The ultimate results are hypoxia, coma, and even death. The experimental results of Claireaux and Davoodi (2010) shown that the cardio-respiratory responses of fish (Solea solea) were depressed under oil exposure and were unable to meet the temperature-driven increase in tissues oxygen demand. This finding profoundly indicated that the coastal copepod community encounters extra challenge in oil-contaminated waters under seawater temperature elevation caused by global warming.…”

Comparison of the acute effects of benzo-a-pyrene on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) cardiorespiratory function following intraperitoneal injection versus aqueous exposure

“…The question is whether these adverse functional effects are limited to developmental exposures. Impaired cardiorespiratory function has been observed following acute petroleum hydrocarbon exposure in adult common sole (Claireaux and Davoodi, 2010). The cardiovascular system is intimately associated with other physiological parameters essential for survival, including metabolic rate and aerobic capacity (Farrell, 1996(Farrell, , 2002Claireaux et al, 2006) and negative PAH effects could impact fitness.…”