Sediment Effects on Eggs and Larvae of Striped Bass and White Perch

Abstract
Eggs and larvae of white perch Morone americana and striped bass Morone saxatilis were exposed to a range of suspended‐sediment concentrations. Percent hatch of white perch eggs was not significantly affected by 50–5,250 mg/liter of suspended sediment, but developmental rates were significantly lower at sediment concentrations above 1,500 mg/liter. Hatch of striped bass eggs was not significantly affected by 20–2,300 mg/liter suspended sediment, but development was slowed significantly at concentrations above 1,300 mg/liter. Four concentrations of suspended sediment in the range of 1,626 to 5,380 mg/liter resulted in 15–19% mortality of white perch larvae during 1‐day exposures and 23–49% mortality during 2‐day exposures. Four suspended‐sediment concentrations in the range of 1,557 to 5,210 mg/liter caused 20–31% mortality of striped bass larvae during 1‐day exposures, and 25–57% mortality during 2‐day exposures. Covering the white perch eggs with a sediment layer greater than 2 mm thick (to about 1.2 mm above the top of the egg) resulted in 100% mortality; layers less than 0.45 mm thick did not influence hatchability. Rate of egg development was significantly lowered when sediments were over 0.8 mm thick. Eggs and larvae of both species were resistant to high sediment concentrations.

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