PARENT SESSION
PT2 - Endocrine Disruption
Tuesday, 19 November 2002
8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Exhibit Hall
(P543) Effects of Paper Mill Effluents and Mill Process Modifications on Reproductive Function of Florida Largemouth Bass.
Gross, Timothy*,1,2, Noggle, Jessica2, Quinn, Brian2, Smith, James2, Ruessler, David1, Wiebe, Jon1, Sepulveda, Maria2, Holm, Stewart3, Wieser, Carla1, 1 USGS-BRD Florida Caribbean Science Center, Gainesville, FL2 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL3 Georgia Pacific Corp., Atlanta, GA
ABSTRACT- Results from our laboratory have demonstrated altered reproductive biomarkers for largemouth bass downstream from a papermill in Florida, as well as for bass exposed to effluents in the laboratory. These effects included decreased plasma sex steroids, vitellogenin, and gonadosomatic index(GSI). Chemical characterization of mill effluents and fish exposures suggested associations for chlorinated and naturally derived components (i.e. resin acids). The current study evaluated bass under additional multi-exposure experiments pre (spring 2001) and post (spring 2002) mill process modifications. The GP-Palatka mill was converted to elemental-chlorine-free (ECF) processes and significant secondary discharge treatments implemented during late spring 2001. Fish were exposed to 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, and 80% effluent for 56 days. Fish (20 females and 20 males per treatment) were sacrificed to measure GSI and liver-somatic (LSI) index and plasma analyzed for sex steroids and vitellogenin. Water and bile was utilized in a paired study for chemical analyses: including selected chlorinated compounds, resin acids and phytosterols. Results, pre-process modification, indicated decreased estradiol and vitellogenin for females, 11-ketotestosterone for males, and GSI regardless of sex. Effects were at effluent concentrations of 20% and greater pre-process modification. Results, post-process modification, also indicated decreased estradiol for females, 11-ketotestosterone for males and. GSI for both sexes. Effects process modifications were at effluent concentrations of 40% and greater. Chemical analyses demonstrated a significant (approx. 60%) reduction in resin acids. These results indicate significant alterations in biomarker effects for bass exposed to effluents post-process as compared to pre-process modification. These results continue to suggest naturally derived chemical components (i.e. resin acids, phytol sterols etc) in these effects. Multi-exposure studies with largemouth bass may be useful as screening and testing procedures to evaluate mill-process-modifications and identify chemical components involved in the induction of effects. (Funding provided by Georgia Pacific Corp.)
Key words: papermill effluent, largemouth bass, reproductive biomarkers, mill-process modifications