IngentaConnect Assessment of Tolerant Sunfish Populations (Lepomis sp.) Inhabiti...

Authors: Lohner T.W.¹; Reash R.J.¹; Willet V.E.²; Rose L.A.²

Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 50, Number 3, November 2001 , pp. 203-216(14)

Abstract:

Sunfish were collected from coal ash effluent-receiving streams and Ohio River watershed reference sites to assess the effects of exposure to low-level selenium concentrations. Selenium, copper, and arsenic concentrations were statistically higher in tissue samples from exposed fish than in reference fish. Leukopenia, lymphocytosis, and neutropenia were evident in exposed fish and were indicative of metal exposure and effect. White blood cell counts and percent lymphocyte values were significantly correlated with liver selenium concentrations. Plasma protein levels were significantly lower in exposed fish than in fish from the Ohio River, indicating that exposed fish may have been nutritionally stressed. Condition factors for fish from the ash pond-receiving streams were the same as, or lower than, those of fish from the reference sites. There was no evidence that the growth rate of fish in the receiving streams differed from that of fish in the reference streams. Despite liver selenium concentrations which exceeded reported toxicity thresholds and evidence of significant hematological changes, there were no significant differences in fish condition factors, liver–somatic indices, or length–weight regressions related to selenium. © 2001 Elsevier Science.

Keywords: coal ash; bluegill; selenium; hematology.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Environmental Services Department, American Electric Power, 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio, 43215 2: Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital, 601 Tharp Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43210

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Assessment of Tolerant Sunfish Populations (Lepomis sp.) Inhabiting Selenium-Laden Coal Ash Effluents 1. Hematological and Population Level Assessment