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- Title
Masculinization of Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia) and Exposure to Pulp and Paper Discharge: Diminished Responses Following Mill Process Modifications.
- Authors
Noggle, Jessica J.; Gross, Timothy S.; Holm, Stewart E.
- Abstract
The abnormal induction of anal f n elongation (masculinization) in female Gambusia was first reported in the 1980s for Florida streams receiving pulp and paper effluents. Although these early reports indicated masculinization responses that were similar to the complete development of a gonopodium (male secondary sex structure), additional evaluations throughout the 1990s demonstrated significant reductions in this response. These historic data suggested that mill process modifications may have been responsible for the reduced masculinization responses. The objective of the current study was to utilize Georgia Pacific's Palatka Mill to monitor a series of mill process modifications and their effects on masculinization responses in Mosquitofish (Gambusia). Gambusia were collected from upstream, discharge, and downstream sites in the Palatka Mill receiving stream (Rice Creek) and masculinization was evaluated. Collections were conducted annually during 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009, before and after a series of modifications which included: conversion to elemental chlorine free bleaching, conversion of secondary treatment to aerobic degradation, reduction of in-mill black liquor losses, addition of condensate stripping, reduction in water usage from 136 to 83 million litres per day (36 to 22 million gallons per day), installation of new brown stock washers, and oxygen delignification. Masculinization responses were evaluated using the anal f n index (ratio or anal f n rays 4 and 6). Reductions in this masculinization response were observed gradually across 1999 through 2009, with an absence of response in female Gambusia during 2004, 2006, and 2008 to 2009. These data indicate that pulp and paper mill upgrades and process modifications have resulted in the elimination of this biological response in Gambusia.
- Subjects
PAPER mills &; the environment; EASTERN mosquitofish; EFFECT of pollution on fishes; GAMBUSIA; WATER pollution; NONMETALS
- Publication
Water Quality Research Journal of Canada (Canadian Association on Water Quality), 2010, Vol 45, Issue 2, p13
- ISSN
1201-3080
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2166/wqrj.2010.018