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TOXAPHENE: CHRONIC TOXICITY TO FATHEAD MINNOWS AND CHANNEL CATFISH
Citation:
Mayer, Jr., F., P. Mehrle, Jr., AND W. Dwyer. TOXAPHENE: CHRONIC TOXICITY TO FATHEAD MINNOWS AND CHANNEL CATFISH. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-77/069 (NTIS PB271695), 1977.
Description:
Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were continuously exposed to several toxaphene concentrations (13-630 ng) in flow-through diluter systems for 8 to 10 months. Growth and backbone quality of adult fathead minnows were decreased at 97 and 173 ng exposures, but adult channel catfish were not affected by toxaphene. Effects on reproduction were observed only in channel catfish in the 630 ng concentration: the period from pairing to spawning was increased and the amount of gelatinous matrix surrounding the eggs was reduced. Survival of fathead minnows was not affected by toxaphene, but the no-effect concentration for fry growth and bone quality was below 54 and 97 ng, respectively. Channel catfish fry survival and growth were reduced in the 299 and 630 ng exposures, and bone quality was altered in concentrations as low as 72 ng. The maximum toxaphene accumulation from water to fish was 69,000 times in fathead minnows and 50,000 times in channel catfish. Toxaphene was excreted very slowly in both species.