Effects of suspended sediment on fish eggs and larvae: A laboratory assessment

Abstract Eggs and larvae of 6 species of anadromous and estuarine fish indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay were exposed to concentrations of suspended sediment ranging from a few mg l −1 to 1000 mg l −1 to determine the effects of different concentrations on hatching success and short term survival. The egg experiments indicated that concentrations of up to 1000 mg l −1 did not significantly affect the hatching success of yellow perch, blueback herring, alewife or American shad eggs. Concentrations of 1000 mg l −1 significantly reduced ( P Experiments with larvae indicated that concentrations of ⩾500 mg l −1 significantly reduced ( P −1 significantly reduced the survival of shad larvae continuously exposed for 96 h. The significance of these results are discussed relative to natural and man-induced changes in sediment loading of estuaries.