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Aminolevulinic acid-dehydratase activity in green sunfish: An indicator of lead bioavailability in suspended sediments

Conference ·
OSTI ID:244884
 [1];
  1. New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Las Cruces, NM (United States)

Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus, 6-32 g) were exposed for 28 days to suspended sediments and sediments not in suspension (bedded). Blood was collected for aminolevulinic acid-dehydratase activity (ALA-D), hemoglobin and blood lead concentrations, and whole body lead concentrations. Results of the metal analysis of filtered and unfiltered water from both suspended and bedded sediment tests revealed that the majority of the metal was associated with particulate matter in suspension. Fish subjected to suspended sediments (0.2, 1.6, and 21.9 ug/g lead, dry weight) had significantly reduced ALA-D and hemoglobin concentrations than fish in bedded sediments. However, there was no significant correlation between lead concentrations in suspended sediments and ALA-D activity. In addition, there were no significant correlations between ALA-D activity and hemoglobin concentrations. Whole body analysis and blood lead concentrations were not good indicators of lead exposure in sediment tests having relatively low concentrations of lead.

OSTI ID:
244884
Report Number(s):
CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English