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

Reproduction and polychlorinated biphenyls in Fundulus heteroclitus (linnaeus) from New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts, USA

Journal Article · · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI (United States)
  2. State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook, NY (United States). Marine Sciences Research Center
This investigation evaluated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) accumulation, survival, and reproduction in Fundulus heteroclitus from four stations along a gradient of increasing sediment contamination from West Island in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, USA, to the most contaminated area of the New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts, USA, Superfund site. Fish collected during their natural spawning season were held in the laboratory for 5 weeks. Liver concentrations of non-ortho- and mono-ortho-PCBs averaged 0.461, 9.48, 20.8, and 29.3 {micro}g/g dry weight, with dioxin toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQs) of 0.006, 0.132, 0.543, and 1.56 ng/g: differences among stations were statistically significant. Females from two stations within the Superfund site had significantly greater mortality compared to those within West Island, and growth was reduced. Progeny of fish from the most contaminated station exhibited significantly reduced survival and greater incidence of spinal abnormalities compared to those from West Island. No differences in egg production or food consumption were observed. A significant residue-effect relationship was found between TEQs of liver PCBs and female mortality, consistent with that determined previously from laboratory exposures and validating TEQ as an effects indicator. Embryo and larval survival were inversely related to maternal liver TEQ.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
675433
Journal Information:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 17; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English