White sucker (Catostomus commersoni) growth and sexual maturation in pulp mill-contaminated and reference rivers
- Univ. Laval, Sainte-Foy, Quebec (Canada)
- Canada Center for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario (Canada)
Induction of hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and accumulation of chlorophenolic compounds typical of bleached-kraft mill effluent (BKME) in fish sampled downstream of a pulp mill on the St. Maurice River, Quebec, Canada, provided evidence of chemical exposure to BKME. In comparison, fish sampled over the same distances and in similar habitats in a noncontaminated reference river, the Gatineau River, demonstrated low EROD activity and contamination levels. Accelerated growth of white suckers occurred between 2 and 10 years of age in both rivers at downstream stations relative to upstream stations, suggesting the existence of gradients of nutrient enrichment independent of BKME contamination. The impact of BKME exposure was expressed as reduced investment in reproduction, as revealed by greater length at maturity, reduced gonad size, and more variable fecundity. These effects were not obvious in simple upstream-downstream comparisons, but became evident when fish from the uncontaminated Gatineau River showed increased gonadal development and reduced age and size at maturity in response to enhanced growth rates.
- OSTI ID:
- 6524613
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Vol. 14:2; ISSN 0730-7268
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
FISHES
SENSITIVITY
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
QUEBEC
RIVERS
WATER POLLUTION
ANIMAL GROWTH
ENZYME INDUCTION
OXIDOREDUCTASES
REPRODUCTION
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CANADA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENZYMES
GENE REGULATION
GROWTH
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
PROTEINS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology