Effects of Space Shuttle Exhaust Plumes on Gills of Some Estuarine Fishes: A Light and Electron Microscopic Study

Abstract

EFFECTS OF SPACE SHUTTLE EXHAUST PLUMES ON GILLS OF SOMEABSTRACT The first few launches of the space shuttle resulted in fish kills in a lagoon near the launch site. To study this phenomenon further, sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus), sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna), and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were exposed to the exhausl plume in buckets placed near the launch site. An open bucket provided a full exposure, a partly closed one provided an intermediate exposure, and a closed one was the control. Three h after launch, the pH of the water from the full exposure had decreased from about 7 to about 3, Al and Fe levels had increased, and some fish had died. Gills of most fishes from full exposures and some from intermediate exposures were damaged. Gills, however, exhibited no aneurysms, mucus coagulation, or hemorrhaging. Some secondary lamellae swelled, some fused with adjacent lamellae, and others clubbed or retracted into the filament. Many lamellar pavement cells died and sloughed off. Mucous cells of intermediate exposure specimens bulged on the filament surface and pavement cells lost their microridges. Mineral deposits, probably aluminum oxide, occurred on gills of fishes from full exposures. Focally, pavement cells were eroded exposing the underlying structures. The sudden pH drop in the full exposures probably caused the gill damage. However, we could not determine the effect of previous exposure on the experimental fish, or whether gill damage was the lethal lesion. The possibility is indicated that some fish recover after exposure to the exhaust plume.

Ecology and life history of the clown goby inhabiting the upper Banana River, Cape Canaveral, Florida

“…During 1984, launches occurred on the following dates; February 3, April 6, August 30, October 5, and November 8. Hawkins et al (1984) report that acute acidification of lagoonal waters near the launch pad resulting from the solid rocket motor exhaust is severe enough to cause damage to gills and leads to mortality. Field investigations conducted three to five hours following each launch revealed several hundred to several thousand small fish dead floating in shallow waters (< 0.25 Measured pH values in the shuttle exhaust impact zone ranged from a low of 1.5 to background (8.0-9.0) depending on location relative to the exhaust cloud deposition pattern, time since launch and depth of sample.…”

“…Space shuttle launches have been shown to have acute impacts on fishes inhabiting the shallow littoral zone of lagoonal and impounded waters adjacent to space shuttle launch complex (LC) 39A at John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida (Milligan & Hubbard 1982, Hawkins et al 1984. While immediate impacts of shuttle launches are documented, long-term ecological consequences are not understood and have not been investigated.…”

Histopathological and bacterial study of Persian sturgeon fry, Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897) exposed to copper sulfate and potassium permanganate

“…These alterations may play a defensive role against disinfecting chemicals. However, these modifications can produce adverse effects on fish health, and may increase their susceptibility to secondary infectious diseases and even death (Hawkins et al 1984). Therefore, these histopathological alternations should be in normal limit.…”

Histopathological and bacterial study of skin and gill of grass carp, Ceteopharyngodon idella, (Valenciennes 1844) exposed to copper sulfate and potassium permanganate

“…These alterations may play a defensive role against disinfecting chemicals. However, these modifications can produce adverse effects on fish health, and may increase their susceptibility to secondary infectious diseases and even death (Hawkins et al 1984). Therefore, these histopathological alternations should be in normal limits.…”