Seasonal Effects of Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent on Reproductive Parameters of White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) Populations of the St. Maurice River, Quebec, Canada

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique M. Gagnon ◽  
Julian J. Dodson ◽  
Peter V. Hodson ◽  
Glen Van Der Kraak ◽  
John H. Carey
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Reference Station ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Catostomus Commersoni ◽  
Gonad Weight ◽  
Kraft Mill Effluent ◽  
Kraft Mill

Reproductive parameters and accumulation of chlorophenolic compounds by white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) populations exposed to bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) were studied in the St. Maurice River, Quebec. Compared with unexposed populations from the same waterway, exposed white sucker showed obvious effects of chemical exposure as far as 100 km downstream of the mill, as revealed by a strong induction of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity. In males, circulating plasma testosterone levels were the same at all sites, while 11 -ketotestosterone levels were significantly lower at exposed stations. In females, testosterone and 17β-estradiol levels were significantly reduced at the two exposed stations relative to the reference station. Despite different hormone levels during sexual maturation, gonad weight as a proportion of carcass weight was similar at all sites for both sexes during early gonadal development. The relationship between carcass weight and fecundity was more variable at the station immediately downstream of the mill. Biochemical and physiological parameters measured in this study do not allow us to clearly relate perturbations in plasma steroid levels to impaired reproduction as measured by gonad weight and fecundity.

Responses in a Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Lifecycle Test and in Wild White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) Exposed to a Canadian Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent

2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne L. Parrott ◽  
L. Mark Hewitt ◽  
Tibor G. Kovacs ◽  
Deborah L. MacLatchy ◽  
Pierre H. Martel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Fish Reproduction ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Catostomus Commersoni ◽  
Liver Size ◽  
Paper Mill Effluent ◽  
Kraft Mill Effluent ◽  
Kraft Mill

Abstract To evaluate currently available bioassays for their use in investigating the causes of pulp and paper mill effluent effects on fish reproduction, the responses of wild white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) collected from the receiving environment at the bleached kraft mill at La Tuque, Quebec, were compared with responses of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) exposed to effluent in a laboratory lifecycle test. White sucker collected at effluent exposed sites had increased liver size but none of the reproductive effects that had been documented in earlier field studies at this site. Exposure to 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100% bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) in the lab led to significantly decreased length, but increased weight and liver size in male fathead minnow. Female length was also decreased and liver size was increased at high effluent exposures. Most effluent concentrations (1 to 30%) significantly increased egg production compared with controls. The fathead minnow lifecycle assay mirrored the effects seen in wild fish captured downstream of the BKME discharge. These results will be used to select short-term fish tests for investigating the causes of and solutions to the effects of mill effluents on fish reproduction.

Impact of Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent on Population Characteristics, Liver MFO Activity, and Serum Steroid Levels of a Lake Superior White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) Population

1991 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1371-1380 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. Munkittrick ◽  
C. B. Portt ◽  
G. J. Van Der Kraak ◽  
I. R. Smith ◽  
D. A. Rokosh
Keyword(s):  
Lake Superior ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Sex Characteristics ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Catostomus Commersoni ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
Exposed Fish ◽  
Kraft Mill Effluent ◽  
Kraft Mill ◽  
A Site

White sucker (Catostomus commersoni) collected from a site receiving primary-treated bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) were older and had a higher condition factor than fish at a reference site and grew more slowly than fish from three other areas of Lake Superior. The BKME-exposed fish also exhibited an increased age to maturity, smaller gonads, lower fecundity with age, an absence of secondary sex characteristics in males, and females failed to show an increase in egg size with age. Lower serum estradiol and testosterone concentrations and greater hepatic mixed-function oxidase (MFO) activity, as measured by conversion of diphenyloxazole and benzo[ajpyrene were also observed in the BKME-exposed fish. The level of MFO activity varied with season; differences could not be detected between sites during the spring spawning period, but were markedly elevated (up to ninefold) at the BKME site during the summer. The poorer performance of fish at the BKME site appears to be related to decreased levels of serum steroids and consequent abnormalities in reproductive development and carbohydrate metabolism, although the relationship of the changes in steroid levels with the increased hepatic enzyme activity remains to be established.

Does annual variation in growth and sexual maturation of white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) confound comparisons between pulp mill contaminated and reference rivers?

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 1068-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dany Bussières ◽  
Marthe Monique Gagnon ◽  
Julian Dodson ◽  
Peter V Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Catostomus Commersoni ◽  
Gonad Size ◽  
Kraft Mill Effluent ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents ◽  
First Maturity ◽  
Size At Age

A previous study on the effect of pulp and paper effluents on white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), conducted in 1991 and 1992, in both effluent-exposed and reference rivers showed that fish grew faster at downstream sites than at upstream sites. However, in contrast with fish from a reference river, fish exposed to effluent showed no decrease in age or size at first maturity or increase in gonad size or fecundity in response to greater growth. The objective of the present study, conducted in 1993, was to test if differences in measures of growth and sexual maturation between fish populations in exposed and reference rivers would vary from year to year and whether such variation would affect conclusions concerning the effects of pulp mill effluents. Although size at age, fecundity, and age at first maturity varied between the two studies, patterns of demographic responses to pulp mill effluents, relative to reference populations, remained the same, i.e., conclusions about effects of pulp mill effluents did not change despite variation in demographic variables between years and sites. This study reaffirmed the view that only by including the fish populations in a reference river could effects due to bleached kraft mill effluent be separated from effects due to nutrient gradients.

Reproductive Dysfunction and MFO Activity in Three Species of Fish Exposed to Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent at Jackfish Bay, Lake Superior

1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.R. Munkittrick ◽  
G.J. Van Der Kraak ◽  
M.E. McMaster ◽  
C.B. Portt
Keyword(s):  
Pulp Mill ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Reproductive Dysfunction ◽  
Reproductive Regulation ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Kraft Mill Effluent ◽  
Kraft Mill ◽  
Longnose Sucker ◽  
Mixed Function Oxygenase

Abstract Our recent studies have demonstrated reproductive dysfunction in white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), longnose sucker (C. catostomus) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) populations exposed to bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME). Although all three species show elevated levels of hepatic mixed function oxygenase (MFO) activity and depressed circulating steroid levels, we have been unable to provide clear evidence of whether these two events are directly linked to whole organism changes. Although depressed steroid levels appear to be linked to delayed sexual maturity, changes in fecundity and reduced secondary sexual characteristics in white sucker and lake whitefish, longnose sucker show no impacts of reduced steroid levels on reproductive performance. Installation of secondary treatment at this pulp mill did not alleviate the steroidal dysfunction or MFO induction. However, samples collected after a two week maintenance shutdown showed a return to reference levels of MFO activity in both sexes and of steroid levels in male fish. The relationship between elevated MFO activity and depressed steroid levels is unclear, but detailed experiments suggest that the two phenomena are not directly linked. White sucker show depressed steroid production and impaired reproductive regulation independent of MFO activity.

Impact of a Modernized Bleached Kraft Mill on White Sucker Populations in the Spanish River, Ontario

1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Servos ◽  
J. H. Carey ◽  
M. L. Ferguson ◽  
G. Van Der Kraak ◽  
H. Ferguson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Bleached Kraft Pulp ◽  
Kraft Mill ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Minimal Reduction ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The impact of effluent from a modern bleached kraft pulp mill was examined on the Spanish River, Ontario. The mill utilizes oxygen deligniflcation, chlorine dioxide substitution, and secondary treatment (aerated lagoon) resulting in the production of < 1.5 kg AOX/air dried metric tonne (ADMT) of pulp. However, the relatively low river flow results in an AOX concentration in the receiving waters of approximately 0.15 mg/L, similar to the level reported for other sites receiving both treated and untreated bleached kraft mill effluents. There was only a minimal reduction in the concentration of AOX and chlorophenolics in river water sampled over 51 km downstream of the outfall. In early August 1990, 14 to 30 live white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) were collected at each of two sites upstream and three sites downstream of the outfall (2, 28, 51 km). Each fish was examined for gross pathological changes, several condition indices, hematocrit, plasma electrolytes, plasma testosterone, and hepatic mixed function oxygenase enzyme activity (ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase). Selected fish were also examined histologically for liver, gill, kidney, spleen, heart, muscle and gonad abnormalities. Liver somatic index was elevated in fish immediately below the outfall while elevation of EROD activity persisted 51 km downstream. There were no significant histopathological lesions observed observed and there were no consistent patterns observed in condition indices or plasma parameters.

Survival to hatching of fishes in sulfate-saline waters, Devils Lake, North Dakota

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
John J. Peterka
Keyword(s):  
North Dakota ◽  
Sodium Sulfate ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Catostomus Commersoni ◽  
Devils Lake ◽  
Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Species Survival

Laboratory-based bioassays were conducted to determine concentrations of sodium-sulfate type salinities that limit the hatching success of several fish species. Survival to hatching (SH) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in sodium-sulfate type waters from Devils Lake, North Dakota, of ≥ 2400 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS) than in fresh water of 200 mg/L. In waters of 200, 1150, 2400, 4250, and 6350 mg/L TDS, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) SH was 41, 38, 7, 1, and 0%; northern pike (Esox lucius) SH was 92, 68, 33, 2, and 0%; yellow perch (Perca flavescens) SH was 88, 70, 73, 0, and 0%; white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) SH was 87, 95, 66, 0, and 0%; common carp (Cyprinus carpio) SH was 71, 69, 49, 63, and 25%.

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