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Etiology of a fish kill, Including the endangered Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi), in a northeastern pacific coastal lagoon

Estuaries and Coasts
By: , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-023-01300-z

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Abstract

Ecological disturbances such as fish kills can negatively impact ecosystem processes in coastal lagoons. To gain an understanding of factors causing fish kills, we examined conditions associated with a summertime fish kill in a northeastern Pacific coastal lagoon (Rodeo Lagoon, CA, USA). Examination of available data indicated the fish kill was likely caused by hypoxia involving the following etiology: (1) strong onshore winds (up to 12 m/s) mixed a stratified water column, (2) water column mixing transported nutrients from near the bed into the photic zone, (3) increased nutrient concentrations in the photic zone (> 200%) together with high solar irradiance fueled a phytoplankton bloom, (4) death and decomposition of phytoplankton (72% decrease in abundance) contributed to biological oxygen demand that led to (5) hypoxic conditions (as low as 0.6 mg/L) that caused the fish kill. The event resulted in the death of an estimated 3677 Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi), a species listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act, and numerous (but not enumerated) Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), unidentified sculpins (Cottidae), and macroinvertebrates (primarily Amphipoda). The processes contributing to the event are likely re-occurring phenomena responsible for observed periodic fish kills. Coastal lagoons with limited freshwater inflows and connection to the Pacific Ocean may retain nutrients and be susceptible to similar events.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Etiology of a fish kill, Including the endangered Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi), in a northeastern pacific coastal lagoon
Series title Estuaries and Coasts
DOI 10.1007/s12237-023-01300-z
Volume 47
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center
Description 11 p.
First page 894
Last page 904
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Rodeo Lagoon
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