The translocation and bioaccumulation of toxaphene in a lotic environment (Mississippi, Wolf River, gas chromatography, fish)
Description
Toxaphene bioaccumulation and translocation capacity was quantitatively evaluated in the Wolf River, Mississippi. Water, sediment, and fish samples were collected monthly and/or quarterly and evaluated for their role in accumulation and importance in translocating toxaphene. Water samples exhibited very low occurrence of toxaphene as determined by Gas-Chromatographic (G-C) analysis. The ability of water to expose both organisms and sediments to toxaphene, plus the role water plays in translocating toxaphene, are of minor importance Sediment samples collected within the Wolf River on a quarterly basis exhibited large variations in toxaphene levels from station to station as determined by G-C analysis, but no significant differences at stations over time. Prediction of toxaphene concentration in sediment samples from knowledge of either percent organic matter content, percent moisture content, or both of sediment samples was possible with statistical reliability Fishes collected and quantitatively measured from the Wolf River were found to be too variable in percent lipid content to significantly correlate with toxaphene concentrations in fishes. Measurements of wet weight, standard length, or both were able to predict toxaphene in species of fishes at a statistically significant level. Further, Notropis venustus (Cyprinidae) exhibited a higher capacity to accumulate toxaphene than did Lepomis megalotis (Centrarchidae), which exhibited a higher capacity to accumulate toxaphene than did Fundulus olivaceus (Cyprinodontidae). Each species of fish accumulated different concentrations of toxaphene in each quarter, and also accumulations of toxaphene by any one species fluctuated over time (quarterly collection periods)