Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Avoidance of a water-soluble fraction of coal liquid by fathead minnows

Journal Article · · Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States)
The behavioral response of fathead minnows Pimephales promelas to a water-soluble fraction (WSF) of coal liquid was evaluated in a nine-chambered circular tank (rosette). Groups of 36 fish each were tested to examine the effects of this complex organic mixture on a schooling species. Avoidance of all WSF concentrations with greater than 1.7 mg/L phenols (dye photometric measurements) occurred in 96 h replicated test series. Fish preference data were used to estimate a median avoidance concentration (AC50) of 1.54 mg/L total phenols. The observed avoidance threshold was sufficient to protect the species from acutely lethal effects reported for this coal liquid WSF, but exceeded concentrations known to be chronically toxic. 26 references, 4 figures, 1 table.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
6363539
Journal Information:
Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 114; ISSN TAFSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English