layers of eggs may be spawned. Shore-spawned eggs are exposed to
freezing temperatures, sun exposure and droughts during the tidal
cycles, but are quite resistant to various environmental fluctuations
(Davenport, 1989; Davenport and Stene, 1986; Præbel et al., 2009).
Differences in species sensitivity to PAHs have been demonstrated,
e.g. Stene and Lønning (1984) ranked fish eggs according
to increasing sensitivity to 2-methylnaphthalene (1–10 mg/L) as:
Lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) < capelin < plaice (Pleuronectes
platessa) < flounder (Platichthys flesus) < long rough dab (Hippoglossoides
platessoides) < cod. Effects of the water soluble fraction (WSF)
of unweathered Hibernia crude oil on capelin eggs and larvae
of the Newfoundland stock was studied by Paine et al. (1992).
Lethal effects were only noted for embryos at high concentrations
(2.7–5.4 mg/L; initial concentrations) over long exposures (11–20
days), while larvae were more sensitive, showing increased mortality
at lower concentrations (0.5–2.7 mg/L; initial concentrations)
and exposures (6 days). Sublethal effects (growth, pigmentation,
developmental rates, time to hatch) were registered at concentrations
between 10% and 50% of lethal concentrations. Capelin
embryos incubated in oiled sediment showed similar effects, even
though the water-soluble hydrocarbons in this case were mainly
aliphatic compounds (Paine et al., 1991).