MOVEMENT OF WATER IN FISH OTOLITHS

The diffusion of small organic and inorganic solvent molecules and lar ger dye molecules into fish otoliths has long been utilized in clearin g and staining otoliths to facilitate age estimation studies. This stu dy quantifies the diffusivity of water into otoliths of Beryx splenden s as a general analog of small molecule diffusivity in otoliths. The e ffects on the optical properties of otoliths of the diffusion of solve nt and dye molecules into otoliths are also discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science Inc. All rights reserved.