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How Low Dissolved Oxygen Conditions Affect Marine Life
In Long Island Sound
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The information presented here is based on results of laboratory research conducted by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Research Laboratory in
Narragansett, Rhode Island and trawl surveys conducted by the Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection Marine Fisheries Division. Examples are provided for a series of
low dissolved oxygen conditions. The timing, duration, and areal extent of low dissolved
oxygen conditions are very important in determining the overall affect on marine
organisms.
The Long Island Sound Study is using these data to identify dissolved oxygen levels
protective of Long Island Sound aquatic resources and to guide management efforts. For
additional information, please contact Mark Tedesco in the Long Island Sound Office at
(203) 977-1541.
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Dissolved Oxygen Levels |
Consequences |
| 5.0 mg/L or greater |
- Few adverse effects expected
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| 4.0 mg/L |
- May reduce survival (30%) of very sensitive plantonic larvae of some crabs
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| 3.0 mg/L |
- Greater lethality (~75%) among the most sensitive planktonic crab larvae.
- Growth reduced (25%) in other, less sensitive planktonic crab larvae.
- Growth reduced in juvenile American lobsters by 25%.
- Bottom-living fishes begin to show low dissolved oxygen avoidance
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| 2.5 mg/L |
- Lethality threshold (15%) for the less sensitive planktonic larvae of crustaceans.
- Growth reduced (25%) in juvenile grass shrimp and summer flounder; 50% in American
lobster.
- Most species of bottom-living fishes show low dissolved oxygen avoidance.
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| 2.0 mg/L |
- Reduce growth (~ 50%) in juvenile summer flounder and juvenile grass shrimp.
- Lowest safe dissolved oxygen for survival of juveniles of several fish and crustaceans.
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| 1.5 mg/L |
- Lethality in some juvenile fishes: pipe fish, 50%; winter flounder, 35%; summer
flounder, 25%; Atlantic menhaden, 20%.
- Lethal threshold for some juvenile crustaceans: American lobster, sand shrimp, grass
shrimp.
- At least 50% reduction in abundance of bottom-living fishes.
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| 1.0 mg/L |
- High Lethality (75-90%) in above mentioned fishes.
- Lethality (~ 25%) in three additional fishes: windowpane flounder, tautog, fourspine
stickleback.
- Increased lethality (50%) in above mentioned juvenile crustaceans
- Total avoidance by bottom-living fishes.
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Layout and design by Kimberly Zimmer, New York Sea Grant Extension
Program for the Long Island Sound Study, June 1996.
Funded by the Long Island Sound Study, Cooperating agencies: United States Environmental
Protection Agency; Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection; New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation.
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Long Island Sound Study
EPA Long
Island Sound Office
888 Washington Boulevard
Stamford, CT 06904-2152
Phone: (203) 977-1541 Fax: (203) 977-1546
Last Update on:
11/14/06
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