Effect of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Compounds on Survival and Reproduction of the Fathead Minnow and Flagfish

Abstract

Two 9‐month continuous‐flow bioassays and several intermediate length continuous‐flow tests were conducted to determine safe levels of Aroclor 1242, 1248, and 1254 for the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and Aroclor 1248 for the flagfish, Jordanella floridae. Calculated 96‐hr LC50 values for newly hatched fathead minnows were 7.7 μg/liter for Aroclor 1254 and 15 μg/liter for 1242. Three‐month‐old fatheads had a 96‐hr LC50 of 300 μg/liter for 1242. Reproduction occurred at and below 1.8 μg/liter 1254 and at and below 5.4 μg/liter 1242. Newly hatched young were the most sensitive life stage. Growth of young fatheads was also affected above 2.2 μg/liter 1248, and none survived above 5.1 μg/liter after 30 days. Young flagfish did not survive at 1248 concentrations above 5.1 μg/liter and did not grow well above 2.2 μg/liter. Tissue residues in fathead minnows ranged from 0.7 μ/g 1248 in control fish to 1036 μ/g 1254 in fish held for 8 months in water containing 4.6 μg/liter 1254.

Bioassay-Derived 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Equivalents in PCB-Containing Extracts from the Flesh and Eggs of Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Possible Implications for Reproduction

“…Due to uncertainties concerning the exact composition of the PCB mixture in the eggs of the chinook sdrnon, it is difficult to compare our data with the results of other studies evaluating relationships between PCBs and reproductive success in fishes (e.g. Hansen et al 1973;Nebeker et al 1974;Hogan and Brauhn 1945;Broyles and Nsveck 1979;Willford et al 198 1 ;Mac 1988). It is worth noting, however, that unlike our observations, Stauffer (4979) found no relationship between total PCB concentration in eggs and reproductive success in chinook salmon from Lake Michigan, but again, the composition of the PCB mixture ((as well as other contaminant%) present in fish from the mid-1970s probably was quite different than the present m a y of chemicals in Lake Michigan chinook salmon.…”

Biomonitoring of Trace Aquatic Contaminants

“…Several early studies indicated that freshwater fish accumulate PCBs efficiently from solution or from food, and that the toxic impacts of PCBs depend on the life-stage of the fish and other factors (Nebeker et al, 1974;Hansen et al, 1975;Sanborn et al, 1975). Several early studies indicated that freshwater fish accumulate PCBs efficiently from solution or from food, and that the toxic impacts of PCBs depend on the life-stage of the fish and other factors (Nebeker et al, 1974;Hansen et al, 1975;Sanborn et al, 1975).…”

Toxicological Efects of Aroclor 1254 on the Embryonic Development of the Olive Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

“…3). As a comparison, the egg hatching rate of the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, was reduced relative to the control when eggs were exposed to 7.7 μg/L Aroclor 1254 (Nebeker et al, 1974), and the hatching rate of the sheesphead minnow was significantly at 10 μg/L Aroclor 1254, relative to the control . Half-hatched embryos have also been observed in other fish species exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzop-dioxin (TCDD) and PCB congeners (Guiney et al, 1990).…”

“…olive flounder is a good indicator species for monitoring environmental conditions. In the flag fish, Jordanella floridae, 5 μg/L of Aroclor 1248 caused significant mortality of embryos (Nebeker et al, 1974), whereas in the sheepshead minnow, 10 μg/L Aroclor 1254 had little effect on survival . However, in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss embryos, exposure to 5 mg/L PCB caused 55.2% mortality (Matta et al, 1997).…”