The effects of crude oil and the dispersant, Oilsperse 43, on respiration and coughing rates in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Abstract

Emulsions of Venezuelan crude oil and the dispersant, Oilsperse 43, in both unweathered and artificially weathered forms, increased the coughing rate of post smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in fresh water at sublethal concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.7 toxic units in 12-h tests. Coughing rates increased significantly in what appeared to be a concentration- and time-related basis while respiration rates declined at the higher sublethal levels. At most concentrations tested, there were no significant differences between the physiological responses in either unweathered or artificially weathered emulsions.