Evaluation of fish population effects due to creosote exposure in aquatic mesocosms

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

OSTI ID:458278

Munro, K A; Bestari, K T; Robinson, R D; Gensemer, R W; Solomon, K R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Guelph, Ontario (Canada). Centre for Toxicology

Creosote is a coal tar distillate, consisting primarily of a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Its widespread use as a wood preservative presents a potential risk to aquatic ecosystems. Studying fish responses in mesocosms enabled evaluation of the total impact of creosote exposure, resulting from both direct toxic effects and indirect community-level interactions. Two methods of creosote application were used: liquid creosote treatment and creosote-impregnated pilings treatment. Survival and egg production of adult Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were monitored for two successive 30-day periods (0--30 and 35--65 days posttreatment). In addition, juvenile Fatheads produced during these periods were harvested 90 days posttreatment, to determine impacts to population weight/frequency distributions. Results for both field seasons showed that higher creosote concentrations caused strong decreases in both adult and juvenile survival, as well as egg production. Bile fluorescence levels measured at intervals during the exposure period reflected changes in total aqueous PAH concentrations in the mesocosms. Effects of creosote exposure on survival of adult fish were markedly reduced for fish introduced to ponds 35 days posttreatment compared to those exposed in the initial 0--30 day period.

• OSTI ID: 458278
• Report Number(s): CONF-961149--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CREOSOTE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FATHEAD MINNOW
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
WATER POLLUTION