Lethal Effects of Suspended Sediments on Estuarine Fish. Technical Paper No. 76-20, December 1976

Based on laboratory studies, O'Connor concludes that suspended sediments are a serious ecological hazard to estuarine organisms and that they should be considered as a contributing factor to oxygen depletion in bottom waters. The lethal effects of suspended sediment on estuarine fish was investigated through experiments that were conducted in laboratory tanks. Experiments were based on the hypothesis that sediment would adversely affect the survival of estuarine fish by lowering dissolved oxygen levels. Sediment was introduced into tanks by adding it to the tank water or by placing an artificial bottom with suspended particles in the water. Fish mortality increased when suspended particles increased, and decreased when suspended particles decreased, for both natural and man-made bottoms.