88
In the open sea and , as a rule , in inshore waters , adult fish of
commercial importance appear to be able to avoid areas affected by
floating and are rarely killed.
Since fish eggs and larvae are more sensitive to toxins than adults and
are commonly in surface waters where they are likely to encounter
high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons , they are expecetd to
be particularly vulnerable to damage by oil pollution.
Most of the harmful effects of oil on fisheries refer to shellfisheries ,
either interdtidally or in shallow water ,and the damage may persist
for years.
In some polluted areas , effects on crab and clam populations were
still obvious seven years later .
Tainting :
Serious as the losses resulting from deaths of fish and shellfish are ,
the most important commercial dmage is from tainting.
Light oils and the middle boiling range of crrude oil distillates are the
most potent source of taint , but all crude oils , refined products ,
refinery effluents , wastes from petrochemical complexes , and a host
of other sources can impart an unpleasant flavour to fish and seafood
which is detectable at extremely low levels of contamination.
Shellfish may be affected in a variety of ways . Stranded oil
contaminates the shells of molluscs without damaging them .
(source : marine pollution.2001 .p : 86 , 69,72,92 )
exercise : fill in the gaps with the right words
1- …………………….discharged from tankers contribute to water
pollution , as it is stored
in the cargo
compartments
that
previously contained ………………..
2- In order to reduce oil input from ballast water , there is the
………………………..system , where cargo
compartments
are