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Identification of potential fish carcinogens in sediment from Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, Canada

Journal Article · · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Trent Univ., Peterborough, Ontario (Canada). Environmental and Resource Studies
  2. Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario (Canada)
+ Show Author Affiliations

A carcinogenicity- and mutagenicity-directed fractionation approach was used to identify the carcinogenic compounds in contaminated sediments that are putatively responsible for the high prevalence of tumors in bottom-dwelling fish from Hamilton Harbour, Ontario. Mutagenic activity was detected with Ames tester strains (TA98, TA100) in relatively nonpolar fractions of sediment extract containing PAHs and nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds (NCACs). These fractions were also carcinogenic in an in vivo carcinogenicity bioassay with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). When a more polar extract fraction was tested for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, weak mutagenic activity was detected with an O-acetyltransferase-enriched Ames tester strain (YG1024), and weak carcinogenic activity was detected in the rainbow trout assay. These data indicate that PAHs in contaminated Hamilton Harbour sediments are potent fish carcinogens, but it is also evident that other organic compounds in the sediment, such as NCACs and nitroarenes, may contribute to carcinogenicity.

OSTI ID:
6524576
Journal Information:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 14:1; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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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
AROMATICS
BIOASSAY
CANADA
CARCINOGEN SCREENING
CONTAMINATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
FISHES
HARBORS
HYDROCARBONS
MUTAGEN SCREENING
NORTH AMERICA
ONTARIO
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SCREENING
SEDIMENTS
SENSITIVITY
TROUT
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION