Effects of contaminants and flooding on the physiology of harvested estuarine decapod crustaceans: A global review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Contaminants are transported into estuaries during rainfall events, impacting the physiology of harvested species, and thereby threatening fisheries sustainability. Decapod crustaceans are among the most economically important groups harvested from estuaries, but are at high risk of contaminant exposure. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the physiological responses of harvested estuarine decapods to contaminants and flooding. A total of 138 research articles were identified, with global research effort corresponding to the geographic distribution of crustacean harvesting. From these studies, 305 acute toxicity values for metals and pesticide chemical classes were extracted and 341 sublethal effect sizes (log-response ratios; LnRRs) calculated using 91 physiological measures across seven response categories. At sublethal environmentally relevant concentrations, exposure to various metals, pesticide chemical classes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons consistently elicited negative effects on decapod physiology (LnRR range: –0.67 to –0.07). Key physiological processes impacted by contaminant exposure included nutritional condition, osmoregulation, oxidative stress defences, acetylcholinesterase activity, metabolism and growth (LnRR range: –0.73 to –0.1), with a general trend for greater effects later in ontogeny. With new agricultural and industrial chemicals continually being marketed, our meta-analysis highlights the need for regulatory testing on harvested species prior to registration for use in catchment areas. Under future climatic variability, harvested estuarine decapods may be increasingly exposed to contaminants, with implications for fisheries and global food security.