Date of Award

1990

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Biological Sciences

Keywords

Environmental Sciences.

Supervisor

Haffner, D.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

This study examined the factors which regulate levels of hydrophobic organic contaminants in forage fish. Whole body levels of pentachlorobenzene (QCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and octachlorostyrene (OCS) in two species of forage fish: Notropis hudsonius and Pimephales notatus similarly reflected the spatial bioavailability of these compounds in the St. Clair River during 1987. A third species, Labidesthes sicculus, did not show spatial changes in contaminant exposure as consistently. These spatial patterns were contaminant specific reflecting the hydrophobicity of the compound. Contaminant levels in P. notatus most accurately reflected changes in sediment contamination. Four species of forage fish: L. sicculus, N. atherinoides, and P. notatus, were collected during 1987-88 from the two sites. Whole body levels of QCB, HCB, OCS, DDE and PCB congeners #31, #52, #87, #101, #118, #138, #153, #180 were determined. Significant interspecific differences in contaminant concentrations were observed for compounds with a log octanol-water partition coefficient greater than 6.0. Highest mean contaminant levels were seen in P. notatus and lowest levels were observed in L. sicculus. Food and habitat utilization were important factors regulating body burdens in these fish species. Differences in metabolism may also play a role in regulating interspecific differences in contaminant levels therefore elimination rate constants were determined for P. notatus and L. sicculus. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 30-03, page: 0689. Chairman: G. D. Haffner. Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1990.

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