The relationship between fish liver metallothionein concentrations and community responses in a copper contaminated stream
- Univ. of Memphis, TN (United States)
- Univ. of Mississippi, University, MS (United States)
The use of biomarkers, biochemical and morphological indices of toxicant exposure and effect, is currently receiving considerable attention as an alternative to quantitative community level analyses. The Walker Mine produces an effluent containing approximately 200 {micro}g Cu/L. This effluent enters Dolly Creek, which flows through the mine tailings and converges with Little Grizzly Creek. This preliminary investigation compared fish liver metallothionein concentrations with a long-term quantitative assessment of the fish community in the Dolly Creek and Little Grizzly Creek ecosystems. Fish liver samples were collected from a reference and five downstream sites in 1994 and metallothionein concentrations determined using a metallothionein specific ribonuclease detection assay. Quantitative analyses of the fish communities at the same Sites were conducted annually from 1991 to 1994 using standard electrofishing methods. Fish populations were significantly reduced (compared to the reference site) immediately downstream of the mine portal and tailings pile and increased further downstream. These population changes were positively correlated with environmental copper concentrations. Fish liver metallothionein concentrations were significantly elevated at the downstream sites (> 2X), compared to the reference site. However, the observed changes in fish populations were not correlated with changes in liver metallothionein concentrations. These preliminary results indicate that fish liver metallothionein concentrations do not correlate well to long-term alterations in fish communities resulting from copper contamination.
- OSTI ID:
- 392356
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9647%%210
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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