Mode of photo-induced toxic action of PAH in fish

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:455324

Weinstein, J E; Oris, J T; Taylor, D H ^[1]

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1. Miami Univ., Oxford, OH (United States). Dept. of Zoology

Juvenile fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to 0, 6, and 12 {micro}g/L fluoranthene in the presence of ultraviolet (US) light for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours. Ultrastructural pathology of the secondary gill lamellae was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Following 12 hours of exposure to 12 {micro}g/L fluoranthene and UV light, epithelial cells appeared highly vacuolated and swollen. Following 48 hours, additional morphological alterations in epithelial cells included multivesiculated blebbing of the plasma membrane into intercellular gaps, numerous cytolysosomes, myelinoid bodies, and enlarged lysosomes with lipid-like contents. The staining characteristics of these cytoplasmic inclusions were consistent with that of phospholipid autodigestion. In addition, an inflammatory-type reaction occurred in the secondary lamellae following 24 hours of exposure. This reaction was characterized by large areas of intercellular edema, which produced a lifting of the epithelium, and the occasional presence of macrophages and granulocytes within the edematous areas and the lamellar blood sinuses. No morphological changes were observed in chloride cells, mucous cells, or pillar cells. In those fish exposed to 6 {micro}g/L fluoranthene and UV light, a similar progression compared to 12 {micro}g/L exposure of epithelial cell damage and inflammatory-type reaction was evident beginning at 24 hours of exposure. The results of this study suggest that the mode of action of photo-induced fluoranthene toxicity in fish is respiratory stress.

• OSTI ID: 455324
• Report Number(s): CONF-961149--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
FATHEAD MINNOW
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
TOXICITY
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
WATER POLLUTION