Abstract |
The effects of two chlorinated insecticides, mirex and methoxychlor, on striped mullet, Mugil cephalus L., were studied. Test concentrations of both insecticides used were 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 ppm in dynamic bioassay. Young juveniles were more susceptible to mirex exposure than older juveniles or adults. For young juveniles, mortalities were highest in concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0 ppm and were less in concentrations of 0.01 and 10.0 ppm. Significant amounts of mirex residues were accumulated in the body tissues of the test fish; concentrations increased with increased environmental concentrations. Methoxychlor was more toxic to mullet than mirex. Mortalities were greater than 90 percent over a 96-hour period for all life stages studied at concentration of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 ppm. Relative to mirex, small amounts of methoxychlor residues accumulated in the tissues of the test fish. Results of the experiments on eggs and larvae were inconclusive. |