Trophodynamics of the plankton community at Dogger Bank: predatory impact by larval fish

The trophodynamics of a coastal plankton community were studied,focusing on fish larvae and their copepod prey. The major objectiveswere to describe distributional overlap and evaluate the predatoryimpact by larval fish. The study was carried out across DoggerBank in the North Sea, August-September 1991. Sampling transectscrossed tidal fronts off the Bank and plankton at all trophiclevels showed peak abundance within frontal zones. Also Verticallythere was a significant overlap in distributional patterns ofthe plankton. Seven species of fish larvae were abundant, ofthese sprat (Sprattus sprattus) dominated. The abundance ofone group of fish larvae peaked in the shallow water close tothe Bank, whereas other species, including sprat, were foundin deeper water. Prey preference and predation pressure of fishlarvae were assessed using information on prey sizes and growthrates of larvae and the copepod prey. We estimated larval removalof preferred prey sizes to 3–4% day^–1, counterbalancedby a 3–7% day^–1' replenishment from copepod productionand growth. Additional predation pressure on copepods by aninvertebrate predator was estimated to 1–3%day^–1.In conclusion, the dynamics of fish larvae and other zooplankterswere closely linked. At peak abundances of fish larvae (>35mg dry weight m^–2), the accumulated predation on specificsize ranges of copepods, exerted by larvae and other predators,could exceed the ability of copepod replenishment and intra-/interspecificcompetition among predators might take place.     

Zooplankton research in the North Sea

Summary Water types of the North Sea with different plankton are the thermally stratified northern and central regions with a relatively nutrient rich inflow of Atlantic water, a mixed region in the southern North Sea with a poor inflow of Channel water, and turbid narrow coastal zones with inflow of nutrient rich river water. Plankton studies reveal that the primary production starts early, in February, in the southern region, but is delayed in the coastal zones by turbidity. In stratified areas the algal spring bloom is delayed by mixing towards the greater depth and usually starts with the onset of thermal stratification. The spring bloom soon declines and the algae remain on a low density level in summer, presumably due to depletion of nutrients in the euphotic zone. The coastal zones and the frontal zones between mixed and stratified water have a relatively high summer primary production.The herbivores (mainly planktonic copepodes and the tunicateOikopleura dioica) grow and increase in number when the temperature rises and food is available. There is a considerable mismatch with the algal spring bloom, which comes too early and is too short in most regions. The best coincidence occurs in the coastal zones and maybe the frontal zones. Carnivores build high biomasses in late summer and fall in the coastal regions and compete with fish larvae for food and also kill many fish larvae. The large scyphomedusae are most important in this respect.The overall yearly primary production of the North Sea is estimated to be about 100 mg C.m^–2. The estimates for herbivores and fish are 20 and 1 mg C.m^–2. Considering a growth efficiency of 20%, the herbivores must consume all algae produced. The indication of a low consumption due to bad phenological coincidence in most regions leads to the assumption, that either primary production is underestimated or there is a considerable influx of organic matter from the Atlantic Ocean. During June–July 1979 the carnivore consumption was estimated in the coastal zone of the Southern Bight to be 39 mg C.m^–2.d^–1 at a copepod production of 20 mg C.m^–2.d^–1. Consumption by fish larvae and large jellyfish (Cyanea lamarckii) was 15% and 74%, respectively.It seems clear that the productivity of the North Sea depends highly on coastal and frontal zones, where herbivores find sufficient food at optimal growth conditions. Most organic matter will at the end be consumed by invertebrate carnivores, which urge fish populations to reproduce early in spring or to recruit at remote places.     

Year-to-year variation in larval fish assemblages of the Southern North Sea

In order to test the temporal stability within and the reproducibility of larval fish assemblages between years, the larval fish assemblage at Helgoland Roads, North Sea (NE Atlantic) was quantitatively sampled almost daily from January 2003 to December 2005. The survey resulted in a total of 462 samples containing 50,632 larval fish of at least 42 taxa. In winter the larval fish assemblage was mainly dominated by larvae emerging from demersal eggs. This changed gradually to larvae hatching from pelagic eggs. Larvae from pelagic eggs dominated the ichthyoplankton assemblage in summer. A remarkably stable seasonality in terms of dominance patterns with recurring, season-specific fish assemblages was observed over the 3 years, despite substantial variation in environmental conditions such as a temperature difference of almost 20°C between summer and winter. The lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus), was the only species which showed significant fluctuations in abundance between the years. After removal of this species from the analysis, the dominance patterns of the remaining fish species were almost identical between years.     

Zooplankton prey selection by juvenile fish in Nova Scotian Shelf basins

The stomach contents of fish <100 mm standard length (SL)and fish >100 mm SL collected during June and October intwo deep basins on the Scotian Shelf, showed that juvenile co(and silver hake fed primarily on the two most abundant speciesof zooplankton in the basins: Calanus finmarchicus and Meganyctiphanesnorvegica. These zooplankton were abundant in the basin: duringthe 2 months, forming high concentrations at depths below 200m during the day. In June fish (<100 mm SL) concentratedin the upper 50 m during both day and night. Cod and wolffislcollected between 195 and 240 m had a large percentage of C.finmarchicusin their stomachs suggesting that these fish exploited the highconcentrations of C.finmarchicus below 200 m depth There wasno evidence that Calanus hyperboreus was eaten by any juvenilefish species. Calanus finmarchicus was the most common preyof cod feeding in the top 50 m, but the percentages o C.finmarchicusstages IV and V were lower in the stomachs than in the watercolumn. Cod showed ; strong preference for M.norvegica, withthis prey species having a modified Ivlev's index of 1 indicatingthat cod were highly selective for this species. There was noevidence that C.hyperboreus. stage IV was eaten by any of thespecies offish. Silver hake and dogfish (>100 mm SL) bothfeed oi M.norvegica and C.finmarchicus in the deep regions ofthe basins. In October, silver hake was the most common juvenilefish in the basins, feeding primarily on small stages of M.norvegica.The populations of fish (>100 mm SL) in the basins were mainlyspecies known to feed heavily or euphausiids. The two basinsare unique regions of the shelf because of the large populationsof Calanus copepods and M.norvegica they contain all the yeararound, thereby providing an atrractive feeding ground for manyspecies of fish, particularly silver hake.     

Role of nitric oxide in larval and juvenile fish

Fish are known to express the three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the constitutive forms endothelial or eNOS, neuronal or nNOS and the inducible form iNOS. Most studies in fish have focussed on possible roles for NO in cardiovascular physiology although there has been recent attention on the role of nNOS in embryonic development. However compared to mammalian studies there have been relatively few studies on effects of nitric oxide (NO) on fish. Studies on heart and blood vessel preparations from various fish species appear to show results specific to the species or to the particular preparation. Possible roles of NO in the in vivo biology of adult fish or larval fish have received little attention. This article reviews effects of nitric oxide on cardiovascular physiology in fish with special emphasis on larval fish. It introduces some experimental work on possible signaling pathways in larval fish and introduces the possibility that NO could be an important environmental influence for some aquatic organisms. In higher vertebrates LPS (lipopolysaccharide) is known to activate the cytokine signaling system and stimulate increased expression of iNOS and increased production of NO, but this remains less investigated in fish. The effects of LPS on cardiovascular and osmoregulatory physiology of larval and juvenile salmonids are discussed and a possible role of NO in stress-induced drinking is suggested.     

A model of the predatory impact of larval marine fish on the population dynamics of their zooplankton prey

A simulation model of the population dynamics of two speciesof calanoid copepods (Calanus.r pacificus and Pseudocalanussp.) was forced with predation pressure from a genetic, hypotheticalpopulation of larval marine fish. Results of the model are sensitiveto changes in parameters describing the dynamics of both predatorand prey populations, including initial numbers, fecundity,growth, mortality, size of prey organisms and feeding selectivityof the predators; the relative importance of these parametersis tested by way of a brute-force sensitivity analysis. Usingresults from recent ichthyoplankton surveys in Dabob Bay, WA,USA, the model was also forced with predation from populationsof larval Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) and Pacificwhiting (Merluccius productus). Results of the various simulationruns lead to the conclusion that marine fish larvae can significantlyimpact the population dynamics of their calanoid copepod prey,but that the magnitude of this impact is highly dependent onspecies-specific values of various population parameters.     

Zooplankton distribution and diversity in a frontal area of the Aegean Sea

This study was carried out in the northern Aegean Sea during late summer and spring. The aim was to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of the zooplankton community across a dynamic frontal area and to investigate how the oceanographic heterogeneity structures the composition of the zooplankton assemblages. The low-salinity and cold Black Sea water coming from the Dardanelles Strait is modified by mixing with the underlying warm and saline Aegean water. These hydrological features result in a pronounced thermohaline front in the northern Aegean Sea throughout the year. In both seasons, zooplankton was collected using both 45 and 200 µm mesh plankton nets. A high abundance of zooplankton was observed in the surface layer at the stations closest to the Dardanelles Strait on the stratified side of the front. The zooplankton distribution and community structure in the northern Aegean Sea were strongly influenced by the hydrological features. The frontal structure acts as a boundary for the zooplankton community. The surface layer at the stratified stations had the lowest copepod diversity, from where it increased with depth and horizontally as the stratification weakened outside of the front. The total abundance of zooplankton collected with the 200 µm net was between two and 20 times lower than samples taken with the 45 µm net. The most pronounced differences were observed for the adults and copepodids of the small genera Oithona, Oncaea and Microsetella. Thus, to manage and understand the transfer of primary production up the food chain in the Aegean Sea, the smaller fraction of copepods should be taken into account in future investigations.     

Rates at which post-larval prawns are digested by a small predatory fish and the implications for predation studies

Juvenile Monocanthus chinensis digested most of the flesh of post-larval Penaeus monodon within 60 min, and most exoskeletal components within 180 min. Rapid cooling of predator samples should improve estimates of consumption of young prawns.     

Energy utilization during swimming and cost of locomotion in larval and juvenile fish

Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion rates increased in an accelerated manner in larvae and juveniles of whitefish (Coregonus sp.) as a function of swimming speed. The three-dimensional patterns of fish metabolic rates (expressed as energy consumed or nitrogen excreted) versus body weight and swimming speed show that the total standard metabolic rate (i. e. at extrapolated zero swimming speed) increased during early life of whitefish, followed by the expected decrease. This phenomenon might be due to the profound changes in oxidative and glycolytic enzyme activities during fish “metamorphosis”. Standard metabolic rate of ammonia excretion, as a principal product of protein catabolism in fish, decreased by one order of magnitude in early coregonid ontogenesis. This means that protein utilization as an energy source decreases as far as standard metabolism is concerned, but increases with swimming speed. This trend is opposite that in adult fish, where protein utilization in the overall energy supply is diminished at increasing swimming speed. The cost of locomotion offish larvae and juveniles demonstrates that the energy expenditure increases logarithmically with decreasing fish size but at an accelerated rate as compared to adult fish. This contradicts earlier estimates of lower cost of swimming in fish larvae than cost of paddle-propulsion swimming in small invertebrates or cost of flying in insects.     

The dominant fish fauna in the North Sea and its determination

The 224 species of fish reported from the North Sea are regarded as being composed of elements of three faunas—Boreal, Lusitanian and Atlantic, and they can be grouped accordingly on both a number of species and a biomass basis. The estimation of biomass of more than 10 important species is based on stock estimates obtained from population data. For 65 non-standard species the estimate is based on a comparison of catch rates for 'standard'and non-standard species from groundfish survey data. This involves assumption about the relative catchability of different sets of species. For the other species the biomass are computed in different ways. An analysis of the dominant fish fauna in the North Sea is attempted. The fish fauna in the area is analysed in two ways: by the conventional total number of species from each zoogeographic area, and by the biomass of the representatives of each fauna. It is concluded that for establishing the dominant faunal element of fish, biomass is a better index than is the number of species. The dominant faunal element of fish in the North Sea is Boreal.     

Mature and juvenile tissue models of regeneration in small fish species

The multitude of cells constituting organisms are fragile and easily damaged day by day. Therefore, maintenance of tissue morphology and function is fundamental for multicellular organisms to attain long life. For proper maintenance of tissue integrity, organisms must have mechanisms that detect the loss of tissue mass, activate the de novo production of cells, and organize those cells into functional tissues. However, these processes are only poorly understood. Here we give an overview of adult and juvenile tissue regeneration models in small fish species, such as zebrafish and medaka, and highlight recent advances at the molecular level. From these advances, we have come to realize that the epidermal and mesenchymal parts of the regenerating fish fin-that is, the wound epidermis and blastema, respectively-comprise heterogeneous populations of cells with different molecular identities that can be termed "compartments." These compartments and their mutual interactions are thought to play important roles in promoting the proper progression of tissue regeneration. We further describe the current understanding of these compartments and discuss the possible approaches to affording a better understanding of their roles and interactions during regeneration.     

Effects of parasites on larval and juvenile stages of the coral reef fish Pomacentrus moluccensis

The ecological role of parasites in the early life-history stages of coral reef fish is far from clear. Parasitism in larval, recently settled and juvenile stages of a coral reef fish damselfish (Pomacentridae) was therefore investigated by quantifying the ontogenetic change in parasite load and comparing the growth rates of parasitized juvenile fish to those of unparasitized ones. Parasite prevalence in two lunar pulses of Pomacentrus moluccensis was 4 and 0% for larval stage fish, 34 and 56% for recently settled fish and 42 and 49% for juveniles. A significant increase in parasite prevalence with age group was found; the most marked increase occurred immediately after larval fish had settled. Standard length did not model prevalence well; as length is a proxy for age, this indicates that the higher prevalence in recently settled and juvenile fish compared with larvae was not a simple result of parasites accumulating with age. In one of three cohorts, there was some evidence that parasitism affected the growth rate of juveniles, as measured by otolith width. The study suggests that settling on the reef exposes young fish to potentially harmful parasites. This supports the idea that the pelagic phase may have the effect of reducing the exposure of young fish to the debilitating effects of parasites.     

Biodeposition in a juvenile mussel bed of the east Frisian Wadden Sea (Southern North Sea)

Seasonal trends of biodeposition and animal coverage in backbarrier beds of the musselMytilus edulis in the East Frisian Wadden Sea were documented and quantified to assess the effects of physical disturbance by storms and to develop a conceptual model for the interpretation of biodeposits in the stratigraphic record. Accretion and erosion of biogenic muds (faeces and pseudofaeces) were quantified by repeated precision levelling of a 12 m² test area. Animal coverage was documented by vertical photography prior to each levelling survey. Levelling and photography were conducted from a bridge and rail system to avoid physical disturbance by trampling. Four surveys, covering a period of different weather conditions, showed variable mean accretion/erosion rates of biodeposits ranging from +0.56 mm d⁻¹ (accretion) to −1.34 mm d⁻¹ (erosion) and areal coverage of mussels ranging from 39.1% to 0%. A pronounced seasonal trend in the biodepositional pattern was observed. Mean accretion rates were high (>0.5 mm d⁻¹) during the summer season, whereas in the winter season net deposition decreased to zero or showed erosional trends. Longterm sediment budgets are thus composed of highly variable mean annual rates which, in turn, comprise highly variable seasonal and even monthly rates, depending on the local weather pattern. This forms the basis for a conceptual model, in terms of which the stratigraphic record of fossil biodeposits can be meaningfully interpreted.     

Mortality of fish from the by-catch of shrimp vessels in the North Sea

The results from 3 different rogrammes concerning by-catch mortality in shrimp fisheries are reported. Mortalities increased consigrably after the catch passed the sorting sieve. 100 % mortality was detected for whiting ( Merlangius merlangus ). Mortalities were about 10% for sculpin ( Myxocephalus scorpius ), hooknose ( Agonus catapbractus ), and eelpout ( Zoarces viviparus ) in the discard fraction. Survival of flatfish depended strongly on the species, the size of the secimens as well as the catch and catch processing conditions, and ranged from 17 to 100%. No difirences could be detected in the survival after sorting on different machines. However, due to better sorting efficiency, the rotary sieve may reduce mortality of fish in the by-catch.

Zusammenfassung

Sterblichkeit von Fischen aus dem Beifang von Garnelenkuttern in tier Nordsee
Es werden die Ergebnisse von 3 verschiedenen Untersuchungsprogramrnen zur Beifansterblichkeit in der Garnelenfischerei mitgeteilt. Die Sterblichkeit nahm beträchtlich zu, wenn der Beikng das Sortiersieb passiert hatte. 100% Sterblichkeit wurde für Wittlinge ( Merlangius merlangus ) ermittelt. Für Seeskorpione ( Myoxocephalus scorpius ), Steinpicker ( Agonus cataphractus ) und Aalmuttern ( Zoarces viviparus ) lag die Sterblichkeit in der Discard-Fraktion iei 10%. Die Überlebensraten bei Plattfischen waren stark von der jeweilien Art, der Größe derTiere, wie auch vom Fang und der Fangbearbeitung abhängig und bewegten sici zwischen 17 und 100%. Es konnten keine Unterschiede in den Überlebensraten nach der Sortierung mit verschiedenen Maschinen festgestellt werden. Allerdins kann der Trommelsonierer aufgrund seiner besseren Sortiereigenschaften die Sterblichkeit im Beifang herabsetzen.     

The impact of larval predators and competitors on the morphology and fitness of juvenile treefrogs

Studies of phenotypic plasticity typically focus on traits in single ontogenetic stages. However, plastic responses can be induced in multiple ontogenetic stages and traits induced early in ontogeny may have lasting effects. We examined how gray treefrog larvae altered their morphology in four different larval environments and whether different larval environments affected the survival, growth, development, and morphology of juvenile frogs at metamorphosis. We then reared these juveniles in terrestrial environments under high and low intraspecific competition to determine whether the initial differences in traits at metamorphosis affected subsequent survival and growth, whether the initial phenotypic differences converged over time, and whether competition in the terrestrial environment induced further phenotypic changes. Larval and juvenile environments both affected treefrog traits. Larval predators induced relatively deep tail fins and short bodies, but there was no impact on larval development. In contrast, larval competitors induced relatively short tails and long bodies, reduced larval growth, and slowed larval development. At metamorphosis, larval predators had no effect on juvenile growth or relative morphology while larval competitors produced juveniles that were smaller and possessed relatively shorter limbs and shorter bodies. After 1 month of terrestrial competition among the juvenile frogs, the initial differences in juvenile morphology did not converge. There were no differences in growth due to larval treatment but there were differences in survival. Individuals that experienced low competition as tadpoles experienced near perfect survival as juvenile frogs but individuals that experienced high competition as tadpoles suffered an 18% decrease in survival as juvenile frogs. There were also morphological responses to juvenile competition, but these changes appear to be due, at least in part, to allometric effects. Collectively, these results demonstrate that larval environments can have profound impacts on the traits and fitness of organisms later in ontogeny.     

Trace element levels in fish from clean and polluted coastal marine sites in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and North Sea

The bioaccumulation of Hg, Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe was evaluated in the muscle and liver tissue of four fish species (Siganus rivulatus, Diplodus sargus, Lithognatus mormyrus and Plathychtis flesus) from clean and polluted marine coastal sites in the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea and North Sea within the framework of the MARS 1 program. Representative liver samples were screened for organic contaminants (DDE, PCBs and PAHs) which exhibited very low concentrations. The levels of Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn found in the muscle tissue in this study were similar among the four species and within the naturally occurring metal ranges. However, differences were found among the sites. In the Red Sea, Cu was higher in the muscle of S. rivulatus at Ardag and Zn at the Observatory (OBS). Cu, Zn and Mn were higher in the Red Sea than in the specimens from the Mediterranean. The differences were attributed to different diets derived from distinctively different natural environments. D. sargus from Haifa Bay (HB) had higher Cd, Cu and Mn values than specimens from Jaffa (JFA), and L. mormyrus higher Cd, Fe and Mn in HB, corresponding to the polluted environmental status of the Bay. No differences in metal levels were found among the North Sea sites, except for Fe that was lower at the Eider station. Hg was low in all the specimens, but the values varied with species and sites. The lowest Hg values were found in S. rivulatus, the herbivorous species, as expected from its trophic level. Hg in P. flesus was higher than in S. rivulatus but still low. Higher Hg values were found in the muscle tissue of L. mormyrus,with the highest values in D. sargus, both carnivorous species from the same family. Hg in D. sargus was higher in HB than in JFA, as expected, but in the larger specimens of L. mormyrus from JFA values were higher, while in the small specimens there were no differences in Hg values. The levels of all metals were higher in the liver than in the muscle, with enrichment factors ranging from 3 to 104, depending on species and sites. The lowest enrichment values were found for Hg. Based on liver values, the specimens of S. rivulatus from the OBS had the highest levels, as well as D. sargus and L. mormyrus from JFA, contrary to the known relative environmental status of the sites. Received: 25 February 1999 / Received in revised form: 5 June 1999 / Accepted: 7 June 1999     

Effects of UV-B radiation on embryonic, larval and juvenile stages of North Sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) under simulated ozone-hole conditions

Irradiation with artificial quasi-solar light was used to investigate lethal and sublethal effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on eggs, larval and juvenile stages of North Sea plaice. The irradiation experiments resembled a worst-case scenario with a synchronous occurrence of ozone depletion, sunny weather, and low water turbulence. In eggs, UV-B exposure increased mortality and induced loss of positive buoyancy. UV-B exposures for 1 or 2 days, according to the weather conditions in spring, impaired eggs only if UV-B intensities and doses exceeded those under a further 60% ozone loss. In larvae and juveniles, long-term UV-B exposures during and after metamorphosis affected ventilation rate at normoxia and ventilatory regulation during hypoxic incubations. Oxygen consumption rates of juveniles were not affected by UV-B irradiation. Received in revised form: 20 April 2000 Electronic Publication     

An attempt to estimate the predatory pressure exerted by the lesser weever, Trachinus vipera Cuvier, in the southern North Sea

In order to evaluate the impact of the lesser weever on the ecosystem of the southern North Sea, geographical distribution, density, growth, production and food requirements have been estimated. High densities were found on and around the Brown Ridge, an area with high tidal current velocities, medium grain-size of the sediment and a poor benthic fauna. Growth is restricted to the months of June October. During the winter cessation of growth a considerable loss of weight (about 20%) takes place. Mortality has been estimated by using the average size frequency distribution of all catches made from 1972 to 1984. The resulting convex type of survival curve indicates a high survival rate of the II to IV-group fishes. The production (estimated with Allen's graphical method) of a population of 100 individuals including all age groups (0-VI) amounts to 123.7 g AFDW-year'. In areas with highest densities, consequently, production amounts to 0.018–0.078 g AFDW-m² -year^-1. With an assumed transfer efficiency of 10% through the year, food requirements amounts to 0.18–0.78 g AFDW-m ² -year ^-1. Since the lesser weever feeds mainly on fish (85.6%), almost exclusively on gobies (Pomatoschistus sp.), and with an assumed transfer efficiency of approximately 10%, the indirect predatory pressure exerted by it may amount to 1.6 6.7g AFDW-m ².year ^-1. A possible feeding by gobies on pelagic organisms (calanoids, mysids) is discussed.     

Marine molluscs and fish as biomarkers of pollution stress in littoral regions of the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea and North Sea

The intensive development of industry and urban structures along the seashores of the world, as well as the immense increase in marine transportation and other activities, has resulted in the deposition of thousands of new chemicals and organic compounds, endangering the existence of organisms and ecosystems. The conventional single biomarker methods used in ecological assessment studies cannot provide an adequate base for environmental health assessment, management and sustainability planning. The present study uses a set of novel biochemical, physiological, cytogenetic and morphological methods to characterize the state of health of selected molluscs and fish along the shores of the German North Sea, as well as the Israeli Mediterranean and Red Sea. The methods include measurement of activity of multixenobiotic resistance-mediated transporter (MXRtr) and the system of active transport of organic anions (SATOA) as indicators of antixenobiotic defence; glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity as an indicator of biotransformation of xenobiotics; DNA unwinding as a marker of genotoxicity; micronucleus test for clastogenicity; levels of phagocytosis for immunotoxicity; cholinesterase (ChE) activity and level of catecholamines as indicators of neurotoxicity; permeability of external epithelia to anionic hydrophilic probe, intralysosomal accumulation of cationic amphiphilic probe and activity of non-specific esterases as indicators of cell/tissue viability. Complete histopathological examination was used for diagnostics of environmental pathology. The obtained data show that the activity of the defensive pumps, MXRtr and SATOA in the studied organisms was significantly higher in the surface epithelia of molluscs from a polluted site than that of the same species from control, unpolluted stations, providing clear evidence of response to stress. Enhanced frequency of DNA lesions (alkaline and acidic DNA unwinding) and micronucleus-containing cells was significantly higher in samples from polluted sites in comparison to those from the clean sites that exhibited genotoxic and clastogenic activity of the pollutants. In all the studied molluscs a negative correlation was found between the MXRtr levels of activity and the frequency of micronucleus-containing hemocytes. The expression of this was in accordance with the level of pollution. The complete histopathological examination demonstrates significantly higher frequencies of pathological alterations in organs of animals from polluted sites. A strong negative correlation was found between the frequency of these alterations and MXRtr activity in the same specimens. In addition to these parameters, a decrease in the viability was noted in molluscs from the polluted sites, but ChE activities remained similar at most sites. The methods applied in our study unmasked numerous early cryptic responses and negative alterations of health in populations of marine biota sampled from the polluted sites. This demonstrates that genotoxic, clastogenic and pathogenic xenobiotics are present and act in the studied sites and this knowledge can provide a reliable base for consideration for sustainable development. Received: 2 March 1999 / Received in revised form: 2 August 1999 / Accepted: 3 August 1999