Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Chronic Exposure To Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Natal Habitats Leads To Decreased Equilibrium Size, Growth, And Stability Of Pink Salmon Populations, Ron A. Heintz

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

The immediate and delayed effects of embryonic exposure to low levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been shown to reduce survival to maturity by 50% in exposed pink salmon populations. This suggests that chronically exposed populations could be extirpated over relatively few generations, but the effect of density dependence on extirpation rate is unknown. This study examines the interaction of PAH effects and randomly varying density dependence on a simulated population. The simulation derives from 70 years of observations made on a single pink salmon population and toxicity studies involving a hatchery population in the same watershed. Results from …