The Effects of Increased Temperature on Fish Reproduction Essay

The Effects of Increased Temperature on Fish Reproduction Today, many factors can contribute to an unexpected increase in temperature in streams, ponds, lakes and even oceans. One of the many factors which may cause this is a nuclear power plant. Although many might think that nuclear power is a source of many pollutants, this has been proven not to be so (1). In fact, nuclear power plants only cause one pollutant to the nearby water bodies, increased temperature. Usually this increase in temperature is approximately ten degrees above normal (2). However, this main study is to look at any effects that fish may have because of this increase in temperature. Several studies have been performed in this area, on several different species of fish. Although most fish respond in the same way, Eurasian Perch, for example, showed interesting side effects. By having an experimental group, which is placed into waters at a temperature of about ten degrees higher than the natural temperature, it is easy to compare to the control group, what physiological problems had occured. During the winter months, fish seek cooler water to perform gametogenesis, that is, sperm and eggs begin to form through meiosis. When spring arrives, these fish head back towards warmer water to spawn (3). What if the temperature is kept at a constant higher than the control group? One could say that this might cause the fish to think it is in the spawning season. By giving the fish a constant spawning season, the fish's reproductive cycle is knocked out of sequence. For example, suppose a fish normally lives in cold water during the winter months. If the fish is suddenly exposed to warm water during this time period, it may cause problems by... ...f the Brown Bullhead, Ictalurus nebulosus, with Reference to its Orientation to the Discharge Canal of a Nuclear Power Plant. F. Paul Richards, Richard M. Ibara Trans. Am. Fish. 1978 107(2), 288-220 Other Works: DNA Damage and Radiocesium in Channel Catfish from Chernobyl Derric w. Sugg, John W. Bickham, Janet A. Brooks, Michael D. Lomakin Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 1996 Vol. 15, No. 7, 1057-1063 Effects of Temperature on Mitochondrial Function in the Antarctic fish Trematomus Bernacchii R. B. Weinstein, G. N. Somero J. Comp Physiol B. 1998, (168) 190-196 Gonadal Impairment in roach Rutilus rutilus from Finnish Coastal Area of the Northern Baltic Sea Tom Wiklund, Laura Lounasheimo, Jim Lom, Goran Bylund Inter Research 1996, Vol. 26, 163-171 The Effects of Increased Temperature on Fish Reproduction Essay The Effects of Increased Temperature on Fish Reproduction Today, many factors can contribute to an unexpected increase in temperature in streams, ponds, lakes and even oceans. One of the many factors which may cause this is a nuclear power plant. Although many might think that nuclear power is a source of many pollutants, this has been proven not to be so (1). In fact, nuclear power plants only cause one pollutant to the nearby water bodies, increased temperature. Usually this increase in temperature is approximately ten degrees above normal (2). However, this main study is to look at any effects that fish may have because of this increase in temperature. Several studies have been performed in this area, on several different species of fish. Although most fish respond in the same way, Eurasian Perch, for example, showed interesting side effects. By having an experimental group, which is placed into waters at a temperature of about ten degrees higher than the natural temperature, it is easy to compare to the control group, what physiological problems had occured. During the winter months, fish seek cooler water to perform gametogenesis, that is, sperm and eggs begin to form through meiosis. When spring arrives, these fish head back towards warmer water to spawn (3). What if the temperature is kept at a constant higher than the control group? One could say that this might cause the fish to think it is in the spawning season. By giving the fish a constant spawning season, the fish's reproductive cycle is knocked out of sequence. For example, suppose a fish normally lives in cold water during the winter months. If the fish is suddenly exposed to warm water during this time period, it may cause problems by... ...f the Brown Bullhead, Ictalurus nebulosus, with Reference to its Orientation to the Discharge Canal of a Nuclear Power Plant. F. Paul Richards, Richard M. Ibara Trans. Am. Fish. 1978 107(2), 288-220 Other Works: DNA Damage and Radiocesium in Channel Catfish from Chernobyl Derric w. Sugg, John W. Bickham, Janet A. Brooks, Michael D. Lomakin Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 1996 Vol. 15, No. 7, 1057-1063 Effects of Temperature on Mitochondrial Function in the Antarctic fish Trematomus Bernacchii R. B. Weinstein, G. N. Somero J. Comp Physiol B. 1998, (168) 190-196 Gonadal Impairment in roach Rutilus rutilus from Finnish Coastal Area of the Northern Baltic Sea Tom Wiklund, Laura Lounasheimo, Jim Lom, Goran Bylund Inter Research 1996, Vol. 26, 163-171