Bioaccumulation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in feral fish collected from a bleach-kraft paper mill receiving stream

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1897/1552-8618(1993)12[2077:BOTIFF]2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:5596848

Schell, J D ^[1]; Campbell, D M; Lowe, E ^[2]

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1. TERRA, Tallahassee, FL (United States)
2. St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, FL (United States)

Bleach-kraft mill (BKM) processes may result in the formation and release of a number of chlorinated organic compounds, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by TCDD is of concern due to the chemical's toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and persistence in the environment. Sediment samples and tissues from three species of fish an done invertebrate were collected downstream from a BKM facility and were analyzed for TCDD. Concentrations of TCDD were greatest in the bowfin, particularly in the ovary of a gravid female. There appeared to be no correlation between either trophic position of habitat classification (i.e., epibenthic or pelagic) and TCDD tissue concentrations. Sediments collected near the mill outfall contained elevated levels of TCDD as great as 52.8 ppt. Sediment-based BAFs and lipid- and carbon-normalized bioavailability indexes (BI) were calculated for the fish livers and gonads, and blue crab hepatopancreas. BAF*s varied by a factor of 27, depending on species and organ, whereas BIs had an approximate seven-fold variation. It appears that organic carbon- and lipid-normalization factors may be more accurate predictors of the extent of bioaccumulation in resident biota from TCDD-contaminated sediments than either BAF*s or BCFs. As there is currently only a limited understanding of species variability in absorption and deposition of TCDD, a more accurate estimation of TCDD levels in feral fish tissues may not be possible.

• OSTI ID: 5596848
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 12:11; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
CHEMICAL WASTES
CONTAMINATION
CRABS
CRUSTACEANS
DECAPODS
DIOXIN
FISHES
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
INVERTEBRATES
NONRADIOACTIVE WASTES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PAPER INDUSTRY
SEDIMENTS
SENSITIVITY
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY