Temperature selection in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) following exposure to DDT, PCB or phenol

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01683369· OSTI ID:5037404

Miller, D L; Ogilvie, D M

A comparison was made of the effects of DDT, PCB, and phenol on temperature selection in brook trout. Trout were fed for 10 minutes and then exposed for 24 hours to DDT (10 to 50 ppb), phenol (0.75 to 10 ppM), or PCB (25 to 100 ppM). Each group of fish was then placed in a separate lane and temperature selection in the control and experimental fish was determined simultaneously. In the case of the DDT-exposed fish, the lowest dose used depressed the mean selected temperature, while the highest dose increased the selected temperature by more than four degrees. On the basis of the mortality which occurred during the DDT exposures, the 24-hour LD/sub 50/ was estimated to be 54 ppB. No mortality occurred at 10 ppB, exposure to 30 ppB caused 20% mortality, and 50 ppB killed 45% of the fish in 24 hours. Exposure to phenol produced a consistent downward shift in selected temperature. The 24-hour LD/sub 50/ for phenol was estimated at 11.7 ppM. The 10 ppM exposure produced 30% mortality but no deaths resulted from exposure to 7.5 ppM. In contrast to the DDT and phenol results, 24-hour exposures to doses of PCB ranging from 25 to 100 ppM produced no mortality. All doses of PCB tested had no effect on the selected temperature of brook trout. PCB exposure suffcicient to cause mortality still had no effect on the selected temperature. Despite the chemical similarity between DDT and PCB, it appears that PCB is much less toxic to fish than DDT and in addition, it does not appear to possess the ability to alter the thermoregulatory behavior of fish as does DDT.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Western Ontario, London
• OSTI ID: 5037404
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 14:5; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560205 -- Thermal Effects-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHEMISTRY
DDT
DOSES
FEEDING
FISHES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INSECTICIDES
MORTALITY
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
PHENOLS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TOXICITY
TROUT
VERTEBRATES