United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Research
Laboratory
Duluth MN 55804
 Research and Development
EPA-600/S3-83-062  Sept. 1983
 Project Summary
 Evaluation  of  a  Fathead
 Minnow  Pimephales promelas
 Embryo-Larval  Test  Guideline
 Using  Acenaphthene  and
 Isophorone

 Armond E. Lemke, Elizabeth Durhan, and Taryl Felhaber
  A set of four embryo-larval bioassays
(two  each  with isophorone and
acenaphthene),  respectively, were
conducted with the fathead minnow,
Pimephales promelas. The objective of
the study was to evaluate a specific
method for this type of test. The no
effect levels when compared to the
controls were 0.208 and 0.226 mg/l
acenaphthene and 19.5 and 6.89 mg/l
isophorone,  respectively.  The  only
problem  encountered  was  in  the
feeding regime which  may have a
possibility for improvement as control
weights varied.
  This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's  Environmental  Research
Laboratory, Duluth. MN, to announce
key findings of the research project that
is fully documented in a separate report
of the same  title (see Project Report
ordering information at back).

Introduction
 A set of four flow-through bioassays
with  fathead  minnows (Pimephales
promelas) embryos and larva were
conducted  to  evaluate  a  proposed
standard protocol as part of a larger study
between multiple laboratories. Two tests
were replicated with acenaphthene and
isophorone  as the toxicant chemicals.
The tests were begun with less than 24-
hr old embryos and terminated 28 days
post hatch.  Endpoints were determined
by weighing all surviving fish individually
and comparing mean weights of exposed
animals to controls using Dunnett's test.
Animals were fed newly hatched brine
shrimp nauplii (Artemia) with a small
amount of prepared fish food added
weekly. All parameters were well within
the guidelines (attached to the Project
Report).

Conclusions
  The duplicate tests results were 0.208
and 0.026 mg/l acenaphthene and 19.5
and 6 88 mg/l isophorone, respectively.
The only problem with the protocol as
written appears  to be in the feeding
regime, either in the spacing of  the
feeding times or in the varying size of the
nauplii during the  first  week after
hatching.

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      The EPA authors areArmondE. Lemke, Elizabeth Durhan. and Taryl Felhaber
       with the Environmental Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN 55804.
     Armond E. Lemke is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
      The  complete report, entitled "Evaluation of a Fathead Minnow Pimephales
       promelas Embryo-Larval Test Guideline UsingAcenaphthene andIsophorone,"
       (Order No. PB 83-243 436; Cost: $8.50, subject to change) will be available only
       from:
            National Technical Information Service
            5285 Port Royal Road
            Springfield, VA 22161
             Telephone: 703-487-4650
      The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
            Environmental Research Laboratory
            U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
            Duluth, MN 55804
                                               ft US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1983-659-017/7178
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
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