Ocean Dead Zones May Cause Fish Sex Change
Posted on: Wednesday, 29 March 2006, 18:00 CST
Chinese scientists say oxygen depletion in the world's oceans might cause sex changes in fish, threatening some species with extinction.
The researchers from the City University of Hong Kong say ocean oxygen depletion -- primarily caused by agricultural run-off and pollution -- might cause the development of far more male fish than female.
The finding by Rudolf Wu and colleagues raises new concerns about vast areas of the world's oceans, known as dead zones, that lack sufficient oxygen to sustain most sea life.
Fish and other creatures trapped in such zones often die and those that escape may be more vulnerable to predators and other stresses.
Wu says his study suggests the zones potentially pose a third threat to these species -- an inability of their offspring to find mates and reproduce.
Wu's research is available in detail online and will appear in the May 1 issue of the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Source: United Press International
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