PB82-225038
  Cadmium an.1 Endrin Toxicity to Fish  in
  Waters  Containing Mineral  Fibers
  (U.S.)  Environmental
  Duluth,  MN
Research Lab
  Hay  82
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Technical Information Service

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                                                   EPA-bOO/3-b2-u53
                                                   May S.98'2
                CADMIUM AND ENDRIN  TOXICITY  TO FISH

               IN WATERS CONTAINING MINERAL  FIBERS.
Anthony R. Carlson, Jiines A. Tucker. Vincent R. Matcson. Gary L.

          Philip M. Cook, Gayle F. Olson, and Frank A. Puglisi



                Environment a 1 Research Laboratory-Duluth

                        Duluth, Minnesota  55804
                  U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

                ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LARORATORY-DULUTH

                   OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

                        DULUTH,  MINNESOTA  55804

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                                  TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
                               c read Insinjciitins vn Ihi' fi'i v/ir PI'/'""' t'
1. REPORT NO,
     EPA-600/3-82-053
ORD Report
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
      -± -o-'j  o'*>
*. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
                                                           S. REPORT OATE
                                                                May 1982
 CADMIUM AND ENORIN TOXICITY  TO FISH IN WATERS
 co:iTAi'!i:!R nriEPAL n^cns.
                          F PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOH(S)
                                                           9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
 Carlson,  A.R. ,  J.A. Tucker, V.R. Mattson, G-L.  Phippe,
 P.M.  Cook.  G.F.  Olson, and '-.A. Puglisi	
9, PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
  U-S.  Environmental Protection Agency
  Environmental Research Laboratory-Duluth
  6201  Congdon Boulevard
  Duluth,  Minnesota  55804
                                                           19 PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
                          11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
 Same as  above
                                                           13. TYPE OF REPORT ANDPEHIOD COVERED
                                                           14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPP-EMENTARY NOTES
1G  ABSTRACT
 Taconite  tailings  and their component asbestiform minerals  in  Lnke Superior water had
 no demonstrable  effect  on the chronic toxlcity of cadmiun  to the flatfish, Jordanella
 flo^'idae.  Maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations  determined in life cycle tests,
 where effects on survival,  growth,  reproduction, and bioconcentration were u<=ed is
 endpoints, were  between 3-3-7-4,  3-0-fa.b, and 3.A-/.3  ug cadmiun/liter at 0.004,  0-08,
 and 0.95  nig/liter  taconite  tailings concentrations, respectively.   Similarly,  in two
 tests (A  and ]i)  exposing recently hatched fathead minnows,  Pimcphales promelas, for 45
 dnys to several  concentrations  of cndrin, taconite tailings  had  no observable~effect on
 survival, growth and  bioconcentration.  No observable  effect concentrations (NOEC(s))
 for endrin at 0.2  mg/liter  taconite tailings concentration  were  between 0.30 and 0.60
 pg/liter  lor group _A  fish and 0.075 and 0.15 pR/liter  for group  JJ  fish.  At 0.05
 mg/liter  taconite  tailings  concentration, the NOEC(s)  were  between 0.30 and 0.60
 pg/liter  for group /i  and 0-15 and 0.30 ug/liter for group JJ  fish.   At 0-95 mg/liter
 taconite  tailings  the NOEC(s) were  between 0.15 and 0.30 ug/Hter  for group A fish and
 0-30 and  60 ug/liter  for group 15  fish.                                       ~
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                                  DISCLAIMER







     This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Research Laboratory-




Duluth, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication.




Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement




or recommendation for use.
                                      11

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                                   ABSTRACT



     Taconite tailings and their component asbe?t ifortn minerals  in Lake

Superiijr water had PC demonstrable effect on the  chronic  toxicity of cadmium to

the flagfish, Jordanclla flondae.  Maximum acceptable toxicant  concentrations

determined in life cycle tests, whert effects on  ',-urvival,  growth,  reproduc-

tion,  and bioconcentration were used as cndpoints, were between  3.3-7.4,

3.0-6.5, and 3.4-7.3 ug cadmium/liter nt 0.004, 0.08, and  0.95 rag/liter

taconite tailings concentrations, respcc11 ve ly. ^  Similarly,  \n two tests  (A and

B) exposing recently hatched fathead minnows, Pimepha 1es  pr omelas,  for  43 days >
                                              Xj
to several concentrations of endrip, taconite tailings had no observable  effect

on survival,  »rowh and b loccncentrat ion.  No observable  effect  concentrations

(NOEC(s)) for endrin at 0.2 mg/liter taconite tailings concentration were

between 0.30 and 0.60 i;g/liter for group _A fish and 0.075  and 0.15 ug/liter for

group B_ fish.  At 0.05 mg/liter taconite tailings concentration,  the NOEC(s)

were between 0.30 and 0.60 |Jg/liter for group_A fish  and  0.15 and 0.30  ug/liter

Cor group ^ fish.  At 0.95 mg/Liter taconite tailings the  NOEC(s) were  between

0.15 and 0.30 iig/liter for srciup A fish and 0.30  and  60 UR/liter  for group B

fish.
                          O

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                                 INTRODUCTION'







     Lake Superior is the source of the experimental water supply  at  the




Environmental Research Laboratory (ERL) of the U.S. Environmental  Protection




Agency located at Buluth, Minnesota.  The suspended solids content  of  this




water varies with cllmatological conditions.  It contains diatom  fragments,




organic debris, quartz particles, some cliy minerals, and araphibole particles




ranging from blocky cleavage frajrwents to asbestiforn fibers.  The  source of




these amphibole particles has been traced to the. Reserve Mining Company




effluent to the lake at Silver Bay, Minnesota (Cook, et al.  1974).  These




materials are known as taconite tailings.




     The amphiboles are hydrated silicates which include the commercially




important asbestos minerals: amosite,  crocidolite, anthophyllite,  treraolite,




and nctinolitc (Cock, et al. 1974).  The predominant amphibole present  in the




tailings fraction of the suspended solids is cummingtonlte-grunerite  [(MR,




Fe)y Si,^22 (QH^l with smaller amounts of tremolite-actinolite and




hornblende present.  Commercial amosite is an asbestiform




curnraingtonite-j>runerite amphlbole ami is nondistingulshable  by present methods




of identification from many of the asbestiforn mineral fibers found in  the




tailings fraction of suspended solids in the lake water.




     In general,  little Is known about the effects of suspended fine  particles,




or, more specifically, the asbestiform amphibole minerals in the aquatic




environment.  It is not known how fine particles, such as those present in  the

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tailings, Influence the toxicity of a  substance  to  fish,  yet  such Information




is important in establishing meaningful water quality  criteria.




     Daily analysis of amphibole (taronite  tailings) and  suspended solids




concentrations in Duluth's water supply were begun  in  1973  at  the ERL-Duluth.




Duluth's water intake is located approximately 4 km up-current frora the intake




of the ERL-Diiluth experimental water supply and  is  similar  in  design and




placement in the lake.  Intermittent comparative measurements  have indicated




that the taconite tailings content of  these water supplies  were  similar,  even




though at tines suspended solid concentrations varied  considerably.   The




taconite tailings concentration of the municipal w.iter  supply, treasured dally




from March 1973 to January 1974, was used •'s a guide in planning tills study.




The average tailings concentration during this period was 0.19 rng/liter and




ranged from 0-04 to 0.8 mg/.llrer; the  total suspended  solid concentrations




averaged 0.83 mg/liter.




     Thp purpose of this st-.urfy w.-i.= to  determine  if  the  presence  of the taconite




tailings in Lake Superior water significantly alters the  toxicity of an




Inorganic (cad.niuni) and organic (endrln) conpound to fish-

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                             MATERIALS AND METHODS



EXPOSURE SYSTEM

     The exposure apparatus for both the cadmium and endrin  studies  consisted

of three modified proportional dilutcrs (Mount and Brungs, 1967) with

independent cycling and toxicant delivery systems.  Synchronization  of  the

three diluter delivery cycles was achieved by wiring the diluters  in series

through the cycling micro-switches.  Flows were split 4 ways with  each  chamber

receiving approximately 500 ml per diluter cycl£.  Each diluter delivered  five,
                                                                              p
toxicant concentrations and a control to duplicate 30 x 60 x 30 cm. glass

spawning and offspring growlh chambers -:ach containing 43 liters of  test wa«ar

at a depth of 23 cm.

     Prior to entering the spawning chambers, the water passed through  a 28  x

30 x 9 cm glass chamber containing 6 liters of water which was used  for embryo

incubation.  The intermittent flow rate to each chamber was  11 liters  ocr  hour


and water temperatures were maintained near 25 0.  Temperatures in the  test

chambers uere usually within 1 C of each other; minimum and  maximum  daily

temperatures over the test period were 21.0 and 26.6 C.

     A combination of Sylvania Gro-Lux and Dura-Test Vj.ta Lite flourestent

lamps was the main source of illumination.  The lamps were used in conjunction

with incandescent bulbs controlled by a timer that regulated the photopcriod,

16 hours of light and 8 hours of dark, with simulated sunrise and  sunser

(Drummond and Dawson, 1970).


                          O         c>

                                       3

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TEST WATER PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS




     Suspended Solids and Taconite Tailings;   Cadmium Study--The preheated test




water in the cadmium experiments was  unfiltered  lake water which is routinely




used in  Laboratory toxicity tes'.s, and  filtered  lake water with nearly complete




removal of suspc'.nded solids.  The unfi leered  lake  water  (ambient) was




com  inually monitored and maintained  at  or  below 3 Jackson turbidity units for




the  first 62 days of the cadmium exper iment by us ini» a 151,AGO liter reservoir




during periods of high  turbidity.  Thereafter, because of the danger of the




reservoir freezing,  its use was discontinued  and instead lake, water was passed




through a 5 inn prefil'ter and was used  in  the  ambient or  unfiltcred test water




anil  unfiltercd plus  tailings test water  svstctns.   Filtration of the lake water




to remove suspended  solids was accomplished by passing it through a sand filter




(granite)., a Filterite  5 urn bleached  white  cotton  prefilter,  with final




filtration through a Nucleporc 0.2 urn "GO"  membrane  filter.




     Taconite tailings  were obtained  from the  Reserve Mining Company plant at




Silver Kay, Minnesota and transported to  the  laboratory  in 19 liter polyethy-




lene IURS and stored at -10 C.  Prior to  use,  the.  contents of the iugs were.




thoroughly mixed and then fractionated  by sedimentation  for 2h hours to remove




particles with a settling size larger thar.  2  urn  (Cook 1975).   The resulting




suspensions were combined and stored  in  380 liter  Nalgene holding tr.nks




equipped with rec i rculit i ng pumps to  kt-ep the  particles  thoroughly mixed.




     Tailings from the  holding tanks  were transferred by hand in 19 liter




polvi-thvIene jugs as needed to maintain  a tailings supply in a 200 liter




rec i  re j lat i ng f inert-lass reservoir (10  C) from which a peristaltic  pump metered




the  tailings into head  boxes feeding  the  appropriate diluter systems.




     Three taconire  tailings Lest concentrat ions were maintained.  These test




concentration!; were  selected to ran.'.'.e  from  l?ss  than the minimum and greater

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than the maximum concentrations previously measured  In  the Duluth  municipal




water supply.




     For the cndmlum study, 0-2 V'm  filtered water was delivered  to one  of  the




three dlluters, while a second dlluter received the  unfiltered lake water  for




the first 62 days and thereafter water filtered through the 5 um Filterlte




filters-  The third diluter systea  received water of the same quality as the




second diluter system plus approximately 1 rag/liter  taconlte  tailings.




     Total suspended solids and taconlte tailings concentrations of samples




from a control in each diluter system were ueasured  by  gravimetric analysis




and x-ray diffraction at least once a week using methods described by Cook




(1975).  The menu + standard deviations and ranges of the measurements  are




presented in Table 1.




     Suspended Solids and Taconlte  Tailings: Endrin  Study—The test water  used




for the endrin study was essentially the same ns that used for the cadmium




experiment with the exception thnt  the unf1 1.t^red (ambient) water  was not




treated by passing it through a 5 um prefilter as was necessary  in the  cadmium




exposure.  Filtration of the lake water was accomplished as described for  the




cadmium experiment except a Nucleporc 0.2 um  "QR" membrane filter  was used in




place of the "GO" filter for the final filtration.   Test water conditions  were




modified for the endrin study so that 0.2 micron filtered water was delivered




to one of the three diluter systems, with the second diluter  system receiving




filtered water plus approximately 1 mg/liter tailings.  The third  diluter




system received uuflltered lake water.




     Measurement for total suspended solids and tailings concentrations of five




day composite samples from each diluter system were  made as described for  the




cadmlun test and are presented In Table 2.  Daily turbidity measurements were

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                  Table  1.   Taconite Tailings  and Total Suspended Solids Concentrations  (nvj/i)  in  Test  Wator  in Cadnium Stuuy
Test Water

Character! st ic
Tai l
TC
TSS
TC
TSS

Period of Teot
1-62 day1"
1-62 day
62-90 dayc
62-90 day
Total-90 day
Total-90 da/
Fi Itered (0.2 
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       Table 2.  Tacc.•' •"  Tailings,  Total  Suspended Solids Concentrations  (yij/L)  and Turbidity  In  Tec.1
                                             Water In Endrln Study
                                                                 Wjlor
                                Filtered (0.2 un)
                                                                Unfiltercd
                                                        FIMarod plus tailings
                                                            (1  mn,/L)
     ractar 1st Ic
  ^,
*_SDa'b      Rnng
                                                            Mejn
                                                                         Rango
Rango
Tai lings
Concentration (mg/l)
To1-3l Suspended
Sol Ms USS)
Turb!dltyd
0.

0.

0.
02-"). G.

30+0. ,25

2 HO. 07
0.01- 0.

0.06-0.

O.H-0.
04

38

35
0.05+0.02 0.03-0.10 0.93K). 19

0.72+0.48 0.33-1.59 1.43*0.52

0.61»0.?6 0.36-1.50 2.47+0.36
0.62-1.26

0.83-2.32

1.60-3.40
3SO - standard deviation
bN = 10
   = 8
"Nophoootric turbidity  unils

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also made  in 2 chambers at each taronite tailings concentration  in  order  to

monitor suspended solid concentrations; results are presented  in  Table  3.

     Problems were encountered with the filtration system during  the  entire

testing period resulting  in tailings concentrations in  the  filtered water

approximately 5 times the mean level for the filtered water  for  the cadmium

test (see Table 1).

     Incoming lake water was passed through an Aquafine Model MP-2-SI (1200GPH)

ultraviolet Water Sterlizer to minimize bacterial contamination  of  the  filters

and test chambers.                                                .   .    •      .

     Water Chemistry: Cadmium Test--Water chemistry measurements  were made at

approximate 2 week intervals in at least one control and one high, toxicant
                                                                              »-
..•oncentrat ion in esrh diluter system.   The results did  not  vary  appreciably
                                             M.
between systems or between experiments.  Dissolved oxygen concentrations  for

the cadmum test ranged *ro"> 7,'-9.2 m»/l'rer.   Thf ran»es  for total  hardness,

total alkalinity and acididty were 44-51, 37-49, and 0.2-2.0 mg/liter as

CaC02, r< ;pectively.  The pH measurements ranged from 7.4 to 8.2.

     Water Chemistry: Endrin Study— Analvsis for chemical  characteristics of

the test water were  made weekly using  methods recommended by the  American

Public Health Association et al.  (197J).  The dissolved oxygen concentrations

ranged from 7.3-3.5 mg/liter.  Ranges  for total hardness, total  alkalinity and

acidity were 40-44,  38-42, and 1.65-4.2 me/liter as CaCC^,  respectively.  The

pH measurements ranged from 7.12 to 7.94.

     Cadmium Dosing  ^nd Measurement—The cadmium stock  solution  consisted of

106 mg CdCl2 (reagent grade) and 0.1 ml concentrated HC1 oer liter  of

filtered (0.2 urn) lake water.  This stock was contained in  a Mariotte bottle

which provided a constant ^ydrostati^  head delivering the toxicant  to all three

diluter systems where the dilution ratio was adjusted to provide  a  control and

                                       8

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 five  cadmium concentrations with a 0.5 diluter factor.   Each dilutee was
 equipped  with a  toxicant metering device  (McAllister et al., 1972), providing :j
 mean.1; of  independent adjustment of toxicant flow to the diluters.
      Measurements for cadmium in test  water samples were made weekly on an
 alternating basis between duplicate tanks (Table 3)-  Analysis for cadmium were
 conducted on ,3 Perkin-Elmer Model 403  atomic absorption spectrophotoneter using
 'he  flaraeless method for detection. The  mean percent recovery and standard
 deviation (SO) for 45 spiked cadmium water samples  was 93-39 + 11.08.  Analysis
 of  cadmium reference standards with known concentrations of 1.8 and 16 ng/llter
 cadmium were run concurrently with the unknowns. Mean recovery and SD for the
 standard  were 1.84 + 0.08 with 17.8 +  1.23 (n = 21) respectively.
      Whole fish, that survived from test  initiation to test end (90 days), in
 the  controls and the nominal cadmium concentrations of 3.7 and 7.5 ug/liter
 were  analyzed for cnd-.nium using a wet  digestion, atomic absorption spectro-
 uliuiomei ei' metlioj described by Leonard (1971),  Cadniu^t tissue conccntra t {or. of
 duplicate conposite samples of offsprings which were exposed through embryo
,development and  for 30 days post hatch were also determined.
      Endrin Dosing and Measurement—A  saturation apparatus (Veith and Constock
 1975) was utilized to maintain a stock solution of  endrin which was delivered
 to  each diluter  by n chemical metering device (Mount and Warner 1965).  Water
 containing five  concentrations of endrin  with a 0.5 dilution factor and a
 control were delivered to duplicate test  tanks.  Endrin concentrations in test
 water samples were analyzed using «os  ehromatojxraphic procedures for
 chlorinated pesticides (Thompson, 1974).   Measurement of toxicant concentration
 in  one of each of the duplicate tanks  was made each week on an alternatInp,
 basic. The mean + standard deviation  (SD) and ranges for endrin in test water
 are  shown in Table t.  The mean + SD recovery of endrin from spiked control
 water samples was 99.81% + 3.02 (n = 19).
                                        9

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               Tabl» 3.  Mes^ur i»d Cadmium  Concentrations (ug/L) In Tsst Water ,-jt Thr»» Taconlts
                                             Tailings  Concentrations
N'can Taccyiito Tailings (mg/lltor)
Uom I n.T 1
concentration
(ug/L)
30,0
15,0
7,5
3.7
1.3
0,0
(control )
0.004
Moan
+ SO3 Range
n = 24
31.2+_3.9 25,7-41.9
16.9_H.O 14.7-19.5
7,4+_1,5 5.4-11.2
3,V0.3 2.7-5,8
2.0J_0,3 1.5-2.7
0.0 C-0-trace
0,03
jf_ S0a Fjngo
n = 24
29.9+2.5 26.5-33.9
15.V|_1,4 14,0-18,0
6,5_*_1.2 4.3-9.0
3.0_10..' 2.5-3.5
1,C_»p.2 1.2-2,1
0,0 0,0-trac»
0.95
J_ SDS Rango
n = 24
32.5+_4.6 23.7-45.4
16.9_^2.2 12.8-21.6
7.3+J.3 5.1-9.5
7.4*0.3 7.1-4.0
1.8+0.2 1.4-2,5
0.0 O.O-traca
3SO = standard d9vlati»n

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              Table 4.  Measured Endrin Concentrations (ug/L) In Tes1 Water at Thrto Taeonit* Tailings Concentrations
o
Norn 1 n a 1
concenti avion
(ug/L)
0.60
0.30
0.15
0-075
0.037
0.00 (control)
Mean T3coni te Tal I ini;s (mg/ liter)
Number of
Analyst s
14
12-14
5-7
6-7
8-0
14

Mrt=vi and
+_ SDa
0.57+0.39
0.25jK),012
0.13J_0.01
0.078+0,05
0,04^+0.04
0,0
0.02
Range
0.52-0.66
0.23-0.28
0.12-0- 15
0.065-0.00
0.037-0,^1


Mean and
0.60_*0.04
0.28+0.02
p. 15+_0.03
J.032+_0.6V04
0.042+0,003
0.0
0,05
Mean and
Range + SO3
0.5!>-0.70 0.57+0,05
0.25-0.33 0.23_+_0.03
0.1>0.21 0. 14+_0.02
0.077-0.087 0.074+0.008
l
0.037-0.045 0.04^+0.002
0.0
0.93
Range
0.52-0,66
0.20-0.30
0.11-0.16
0.063-0.088
0.042-0.051

3SD = standard deviation

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     Endrin tissue concentrations were determined by grinding  the  fish  in a




blender with sufficient anhydrous sodium sulfate to produce  a  dry  powdery




mixture.  This mixture was extracted  in a Soxhlet extractor  for  six  hours with




a 50-50 acetone-r,-hexane solvent mixture.  The extract was evaporated  to  near




dryness then diluted to 20 ml with n-hexane.  Eight ml  (40%) of  the  extract was




placed on a 20 g Flonsil column and eluded with 15% Ethyl-ether  in  n-hexane.




After discarding the first 50 ml of eluant the next 200 ml was collected  in a




volumetric ?lask.  This sample was analyzed, by gas chromatography,  "as  is" or




diluted to bring the endrin concentration into the  linear  range  of the




analytical standard (concentrating samples was not  required).  The mean +




standard deviation recovery of endrin 'was 97.6% + 7.14  for ondrin  spiked  tissue




samples.  A de. ;rmmation of the percent fat (lipids) was  carried  out on  2 ml




(10%) of the extract.  Fat was defined as the residue remaining  after  15  mm in




a 130 C drying oven.







BIOLOGICAL METHODS
     Cadmium Study--Flapfish Jordanella floridae brood  stock  was  obtained  from




the University of Michigan and held in 0.2 um filtered  water  and  used  as a




source of ycung test  fish  for the  following experiment.




     The experiment wa.s  initiated  by placing 25  flagfisa  larvae up  to  2 days




old (group 1) into the spawning chambers.  The next day 20  larvae (group 2)




from the same lot were placed into the growth chambers  (replicates  of  the




spawning chambers) of each of the  three exposure systems.   In the system




receiving the addit i->rial  taconite  tailings, group  1 and 2 control fish were




combined after the second week of  exposure and the rest of  group  I  discarded.




To obtain reproductive information, the number of  fish  was  reduced  on  the  30th




and 45th day of exposure  so that each chamber contained no  more than  15 or  2




                                      12

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males and 5 females, respectively.  Additional larvae (20 per  chamber) were




placed in the vacated chambers and exposed for 14 days.  For details  of  the




test procedure see Spehar (1976).




     The fish we.'e fed live San Francisco brine shrimp, nauplii Atcmia salina,




for the first 30 days and trozen brine shrimp supplemented with a commercial




trout food thereafter.  The fish were not fed for 24 hours prior  to  sacrifice.




     Measurement of the effects of cadmium on survival, growth, reproduction,




and bioconcentration was used to determine a maximum acceptable foxicant




concentration (MATC) (Mount and Stephan, 1967) at the three levels of  taconite




tailings.




     Endrin Study—Fathead minnow Pimephalcs promclas embryos  used were




producec by a brood sroel- maintained at the University of Minnesota,  St.  Paul,




and were hatched in the filtered Lake Superior water.  Twenty-five larvae,  2-3




days post-hatch (Group A), were placed into tach cii.nnbi: f, 
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DATA ANALYSIS




     Survival, growth, and reproduction data were statistically analyzed using




a one-way analysis of variance classification.  Dunnett's test for comparing




all means with a control was used with 5 or aore treatments -  Duncan's multiple




range test was used when treatments compared were four or less (Steel and




Torrie, 1960).  A significance level of P=0.05 was established for all




statistical tests.  Nominal toxicant and mean taconite tailings concentrations




will be used hereafter for discussion purposes.
                                      14

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                            RESULTS AND DISCUSSION







     Exposure of flagfish to 30.0 ug/liter cadmium at the three taconite




tailings concentrations caused high mortality within the first 30 days of




exposure and all were dead by test end (Table 5).  At the 15 ug/lltcr  cadmium




concentrations, effects on survival were evident after 30 days of exposure  and




only a few survived t'o test end.  Exposure at this cadmium concentration caused




fish behavioral aberrations which consisted of apparent muscle spasms  followed




by a period of uneonslousness, then recovery.  This aberrant behavior  appeared




to be initiated by disturbances such as chamber cleaning and was first observed




17 days after testing began.  Only one spawn occurred at this cadmium




concentration (Table 6) and was in the 0.00^ mg/liter taconite tailings




concentvat ion.   At 7.5 ug/liter cadmium, survival wns reduced during the




spawning period (day 45-90) at the high taconire tailings concentration (0.93




mg/liter).  Mean egg production per female (Table 6) was reduced by exposure to




7.5 ug/liter cadmium at the two lower taconite tailing concentrations  (0.004




and 0.08 mg/liter) and the percentage hatch was lessened by exposure to 7.5




ug/liLer cadmium at the hi^h taconite tailings concentration (0.95 mg/liter).




Survival and growth of offspring  in the control at the 0-95 mg/liter taconite




tailings concentration was less than at the 1.8-7,5 ug/liter cadmium




concentrations (Table 7).




     The growth measurements for  parental  fish were highly variable between




many duplicates and treatment levels (Table 8) and only one difference from
                                      15

-------
                   Table 5.  Survival of  Fish  (Group  2)  Exposed to Severs!  Concentrations of Cadmium at Throo Concentrations of
                                                                  Taconite TaiI Ings
Percentage survival
to 30 days3
Percentage survival
fron 30th to 45th (joy"
Percentage survival
fror. 45th to 90th day
Mean taconlto tailings (mg/L)
Ncxnlnal
cadm 1 um
concentration
(uq/L)
30
15
7.5
3.7

1.8

0.0
(control )

Dupl icate
chambers
A
a
A
B
A
B
A
0
A
B
A
B


0.004
5C
Oc
50C
60C
90
95
100
95
95
85
95
100


0.08
5C
Oc
55
45
95
yO
95
70
65
90
90
75


0.95
0
5
30
30
100C
85C
85
7?
05
50
15"
45b


0.004
0(1)
40.0(10)c
33.?(12)c
100.0(i5)
93.1(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)


0.08
0(1)
27.3C(1I)
44.4C(9)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15;
93.3(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)


0.95
OC)
33.JC(6)
50.0C(6)
93.3(15)
86.7(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)
100.0(15)


0,004
_
50.0C(4)
50.0C(4)
100.0(7)
100.0(7)
100.0(7)
85.7(7)
85.7(7)
85.7(7)
85.7(7)
100.0(7)


0.08
_
Oc(3)
25.0C(4)
100.0(7)
71.4(7)
83.3(6)
88.7(7)
100.0(7)
100.0(7)
100.0(7)
85,7(7)


0.95
.
Oc(2)
Oc(4)
57, 1C(7)
71.4C(7)
100.0(7)
100.0(7)
100.0(7)
100.0(6)
100.0(7)
100.0(6)
'initially 20 fish »ere placed  In  oach  chamber.

"N Is In paronlheses.

cV,«an of duplicates  signflcantly different  from  control  nea.n (Bennetts'  test,  P = 0.05).

"Data doduced.  No mortality occurred after  combining  group 1  and 2 fish on the Nth day of testing.

-------
                                P«L>Io ».   Surviving
                                          ^LTxtt-lrvjdlJirtt                  }otmt  UJJ                    (»t-r 4W v I V IIV)
                                          t- n J (»j I • /1 «ud I i>)                  p* oJii L I I *Ji                   IU9WII *
» uicur.trJl Ion       Dufl It «»1«
   Jl'il/' )	^t^ZJSf*      ^-00*	gjjd      p.9»	O.W4     O.Ott      O.V
   15                    A     -      0/^u       »/«>       o/y            yy         o         0           4^        -         -         39,^(M-
                        u           i/1        a/1       0/9             0         fl         o        ,    »"       -         -           -          ..

    /-?                  *           y/5        ^/)       I/J         7,V'0     l,M.'o'   4,/Vil          3V/"       )4K-   VV5         ^V, 11V)    A7,tf(^>    40. M1 U"
                        U           7/5        2/^       !/•*     . .   l,Ji)<     <,^1«    >,*t-f          «bO"       »>5"   ?7;         »J,>H5)   A9.01 11)   M.ft(«»*

    3,7                  A           y/j        7/J       y/5         4«,06)     *,WIO    «,4l2>          •»      I,0u0  l,t«         *9.7f M>   59.7(IO)   4O,5t l)t
                        L>           -/*        3/4       2/>         ^,/»'     9,9'1    9,9«4l          >UJ      1,777  I,VW1         66,91! I >   70.0( )•)   ^5,^^IC)

    1,tf                  A           1/5        2/^       7/:>         5,6t>3    11,^10    f ,MJ          -*fcG      2,2*>  1,901         60.JU2)   7<,7( l»)   }3.7(15I
                        y           2/4        2/5       2/^         *,5.'fr     »,*^9    t,7M          66*      l,^4»  |,«»|         >b,>(l5>   77,2()»   :»,7
Control                 A           1/5        7/5       7/>         5,IOb     »,M7    7,651         l,l»»      l,fc7U    5X)         ft^.3()4)   73-3(19)   ft1.5(tf>
                        0           7/9        7/4       2/'         f>,3t>7     l, IL6    p,»«i>         1,071      1,311  l,7lM         5).4( 17)   5o,9( H)   6(j,6l ItO

                                                                                                   -J


 I ln>   woi Lil I CtV l«l<>0 f r ud  j Jj ui 1 **J prvxJuC I lofi  rfi li fi «dl v*>t *l nod try »uto If *C 1 I 'KJ  1'i"  «»jL( x*3*  P**^ 'unwil "  '<" ud> Ivl * I  pToJut I Itxi


^4  I b  l>>  por oo^ f*i*^ ob r



J*n>  *«lo survive,) ID  jpj^o  Uil  Jlwd

MKuo  » ly;i I Mc«"1 I 1 dl

'

-------
                       Tablo 7.   Gro-th and Survival Datj of  Flagfish Offspring After 30 Days of  Exposure  (Cadmium Study)
00
Percent survival3
Nominal
cad™ nn
concert t.-j t i on
(•jg/O
15

7.5

3,7

1.8

Control

Mean total length
and weight
(nvVgm)
Moon Taconite Tailings (mg/ liter)

Dup 1 i cat o
charters
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B


0.004
82b
-
85
95
90
95
100
85
90
75


O.OB
„
-
55
50
75
95
85
70
80
95


0.95
_
~
95C
95C
8^c
80C
90C
100C
55
55


O.Q04
20. 2/1 7. 5b
-
24. 6/36, 4d
22.9/24.6
22.3/22.8
2^.5/22.6
24.5/26.7
22.4/24.0
20,1/14.8
22.2/20,1


0.03
. _

19.9/14.9
22.0/21.3
20.1/13.6
22,1/18.1
22.8/24.5
20.4/16.0
20.8/16.9
18.9/11.9


0.95
_
-
23,7c/23.6
24.6c/26.3
23.3c/24.2
23- 1c/27.3
23.0c/22,8
23.3c/26.3
21.3/17.8
21.7/21.1
               3Twenty  larvae wero placed in each chamber shortly  afctcr  hatch,  except whore noted below.




               ^Elevan  larvae wore placed in this ctiomber,



               cMed'i of duplicate!- is signl f icanl ty di'ferent  thar, controi  mean  (Ducan's t»,st( P = 0.05).




                Oa'3 based  on 10 fish.   Ten  others were removed  by misto»e  before 30 days of exposure.

-------
               Table 8.   Mean Total  Length (mm)  and Live '/eight (gm) of Spanning Adult
                                 Flagfish  at Test End (Cadnium Study)
Mean total length
and weight of
females (nm/g^)
Maan total length
and w»ljht of
males (ren/gm)
Mean Taconite Tailings (mg/llter)
Ncmi nal
cad^i urn
concentrat [ on
(ug/l)
15
7,5
3,7
1.8
Control
Djpl teat*
chambers
A
3
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B

0,004
43-5/1.8*
29.0/0.8*
43,0/1.7
«2.*/l,5
41,4/1.6
43.7/1.7
43.0/1,7
42.7/1,7
41.8/1.6
44,0/1.8

0,08
_
39.2/1.4
33.0/1.2
42.4/1,1
39,0/1.3
44,8/1.9
41.2/1.4
42.0/1.6
40.0/1.4

0.95
_.
37.0/1.0
39,7/1,3
42.4/1.6
42.2/1,5
41.2/1.5
41.7/1.9
39.2/1.2
41.0/1.6

0.004
45.0/1,7*
58.0/3.6
58,5/4,3
56,3/3.5
55.0/3,8
57.0/3.8
60.5/4.6
58,0/4.4
53.6/3.0

0.08
_
47.0/1,9''
51.5/2,7b
57,0/3,8
60.5/4.5
57.5/4.1
56.0/2.4
56,5/3.4
59,0/3.7

0.95
_
54.0/3,0
59,0/4,3
54,0/3.4
52.5/2.8
55.5/3.5
55.5/3.4
56.0/3.7
59.0/4,0
3Thi_'S9 values were not  included  in  the  statistical

bM»»n of duplicates significantly different  from control  (Duncan's test, P = 0.05),

-------
the control could bo demonstrated.  This was  reduced weight  of  males  exposed to



7.5 ug/llter cadmium at 0.08 mg/liter  taconite  tailings.



     The uptake of cadmium  by  the  parental  fish  and offspring  at  3.7  and 7-5



ug/liter was not demonstrably  affected by taconite  tailings  concentration



(Table 9).



     The maximum acceptable  toxicant concentrations (MATC)  for  cadmium and



flagfish, based on the above survival, growth,  reproductive, and  bloconccnfra-


tion data for Lake Superior water  with 0.004, 0-08, and 0.05 mg/liter



concentrations of taconite  taili'-'gs, are between 3.3-7.4,  3.0-6.5,  and 3-4-7.3


'ig Cd/liter, respectively.  These  MATC values arc  similar  to  those  determined


by Spehar (1976).  H^  found  the MATC for rlagfish-to lie between  4-1  and 8.1 ug



Cd/liter under ambient conditions  (unmeasured)  of  suspended  solids  in Lake


                                                                              8~
Superior water.  Mean  concentrations of cadmium  measured in  the  tissues of  the.

                                             Si*
parental fish exposed  for 90 days  at cadmium  concentrations  near  3.7  and 7.5



ur;/]iter in the present study  ranged from 5.6 to 8.2 and 9.2  to  12.1  ng/g of


fish tissue, respectively.  Spehar  (1976) found  similar cadmium  tissue



concentrations (moans  near  6 and  10 njj/g) after  100 days of  exposure  at 4.1  and



8.1 mg/llter cadnium.  Offspring  tissue concentrations were  also  similar


between studies .



     The percentage survival of fl^?,fish after  two  weeks of  testing was



markedly less in control charabery  receiving the  additional  taconite tailings


(Table 10) but was not affected thereafter  (Table  6).  In  two  of  these



chambers, where accurate cumulative counts  of dead  larvae  were made,  most



deaths occurred within the  first  tt'iree days of  testing (2-5  days  post-hatch).



Several moribund fish were  removed  from these tanks and were examined under  a


microscope and found to be  infected with fungus.   Generally  fish  exposed to



cadmium at concentrations up to 15 ug/llter survived in greater numbers than in
                          O         o

the disease affected controls.  This indicates  that the addition  of taconite


                                      20

-------
 Table 9.  Mean and St.ind.ird Deviation  (!i  in  Parentheses)  of Cadmium <
   Whole Body Tissue Samples (ug/g Wet  Weight)  for  Flngfish Exposed to
        Two Concentrations of Cadmium at Three  Taconite  Tailings
           Concentrations.  Parents uvrc Exposed  for  90  Days,
                 and Offspring  for 30 Days  After  Hatch-
                              Mean Taconitc  Tailings  (rag/lite-)
                        0.004
                        0.08
                        0.95
    Nominal
    cadnium
 conrintrntion
in water (ug/1)
      7.5

      3.7

Control
Cadnium tls>~'je
conccntra tion
    (Mg/g)
Cadrjlura tissue
concentratIon
             Parc?.t£

10.1 + 1.4 (3)     9.4 + 0.9 (8)

 5.9 + 1.6 (8)     5-6 + 1.7 (8)

 0.2 + 0.05 (4)    0.3 + 0.09 (4)
Cadmium tissue
concentration
    C'Jg/8)
                   12.1 + 2.7  (5)

                    8.2 + 2.9  (8)

                    0.8 t- 0-8  (4)
      7.5

      3.7

Control
            Offspring

12.7 + 1.8 (4)    13.0 + 3.6 (4)

10.0 -^ 1.0 (4)    13.7 + 0.5 (4)

 0.1 + 0.03 (4)    0-2 + 0.04 (4)
                   18.3 + 6.1  (4)

                   11 .8 + 3.4  (4)

                    0.1 + 0.03  (4)
                                    21

-------
        Table  10.   Surv'.al  of  risn 1o 13 or !4 Days cf t/;.-;urfe  to $e/«ral Cad.-.;:,m Concentrations at 3 Coocentral icns of
l.'.x-.ir.nl
C^i'ii S u*n
concen1r»1 Ion
(UG/L)
30
15 0
7.5
3.7
1.8
0.0
('.'/Mr ',!)
'Vuj.-i ol S'j.M Icalci is
9io 1 leva
A
B
A
3
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
il jn H ic^n! 1 >
Or 0.,
FiSTi-m
T.iconi 1C
0.004
4!
99
52
96
100
76
92
92
84
88
dlffcrcM
n 1 < Ish
a.:o t-Tvi
1 a i i i no s
0.08
16
24
88
88
72
88
100
88
88
60
63
i,',
"?XS^ T hi)

val
/>
"eirfc>
.-»,:> r (
n?j;e •,
,. h
•jrvival
C
Perr
tri::/!.) Tjco.nile tji lin^s (nq/L) T^coni
0.95
0
8
84
84
84
84
76
16
96
88
&
:c>n'ryl n
0.004
Oa
90
30
)0
100
95
35
1 //
t.i > (!?«n
0.08
20*
90
80
95
90
95
70
65
90
90
'( /''
n.tlj-
0.95
0
5
60
45
100
i 85
85
75
85
50
$
'i
Tcsl , P » 0
0.004
35
20
100
90
75
100
100
85
75
90
80
.05)
r.xjf, 3 Hsr>
t'i1»:o survi
1 o 1 a i I i nqs
0.08
303
25a
95
100
85
100
100
90
85
55
"


IVjl
< nq/L )
0.95
35
20
90
190
100
95
95
90
85
}?

  N* fish from 1h9  controls  of  group 1  and 2 ware combined «i1h respective  duplicates  and  us»d  to producs
 growth and reproductive  data.

cTxolvo doad  larvae  wore  removed  on the third doy of testing.

"Thlrtoon do.id  larvao  woro  romovod on tho third day of to-itinq.

-------
tailings to the water  increased the  incidence of  infection  and  cadmium exposure




reduced the incidence  of  infection.  A causal disease organism  was  not




identified but may have been  fungus  which can be  a primary  or secondary source




of infection.   The disease  is probably not. due to the direct effect  of taconite




tailings because  later testing spanning the 2-5 day  post-hatch  life  stage at




approximately 4 times  the taconite tailings concentrations  (Table  11)  did not




elicit similar disease symptoms or affect survival-







ENDRtN STUDY                     .
     No fish survived  in groups A or B  fish  at 0.60  'jg/liter  endrin  (Tables  12




and 13).  Survival was not affectcd .bv  endrin at 0.30  :ig/liter  or  lower




concentrations.




     Fish growth  in group A  fish (Table  12)  was reduced  at  0.30 ug/Hter  endrin




only in water containing the highest concentrations  of t.iconite tailings  (0.93




mg/liter).  Contrasting results were evident  in group  B  fish  (Table  13).




Growth was reduced at  0.30 yg/liter .=ndrin concentrations  in  water containing




0.02 and 0.05 mg/liter taconite tailings, respectively,  but was not  reduced  in




water containing  0.93  mg/liter taconite  tailings.  Growth  also  was reduced  at




the 0.15 ug/liter endrin concentration  in water containing  0.02 mg/liter




taconite tailings.




     The uptake of endrin in the fathead minnow tissues, whole  body  (Table  14)




and fat (Figure 2), was directly proportional to the endrin concentration  in




the test water ?nd was not demonstrably  affected by  taconite  tailings




concentrst ion.




     The no observable effect toxicant  concentration (NOEC) for endrin-exposev'-




minnows at the 0.02 mg/liter taconite tailings concentration  was  between  0.30




and 0.60 yg/liter for  group A fish  and  between 0.075 and 0.15 ug/liter  for




                                      23

-------
              Tabla  11.   Survival  of  FlagfIsh Larva* After Six Days of Exposur* to Several
                                    Concentrations of "(aconite Tailings
Nominal
taconlta tal 1 ! ng
concentration
(mg/L)

4.0
1,0
I.U
0.5
0.25
0.02
0.004
Mean measured Turbidity Percentage
cone. (mg/L) (N.T.U. Units) survival3
Taconita Suspended
tailings solids Mean Range Moan
n = 2*> n = 14
3.78 3,l<2 5.6 (5,1-6.3) 92.5
<1i i( ( 'lU-iii") ur>. ,'
l.y (t. ()-:.:> 95.0
1.1 (0.9-1.4) 93.7
0.7 (0.6-0.8) 90
0.012 0.44 0.4 (0.3-0.5) 83.7
0.010 0.18 0.2 (0.1-0.2) 90.0
Range

90-95
Ull . |l)|)
90-100
80-100
85-90
65-95
65-100
8T"cnty  larvaa varo  plscod  In  cich  of  4  ropllcjto chanbcrs gt eoch concontratIon,

"rjumbor of onalysis.

-------
                Table  12.   Survival  and  Growth Data for Fathead Minnows Exposed t» Several Concentrations  of  Endrlnt at  Threo  Taconltc Tailings
                                                             Concsntrat Ions fcr 45 Days (Group A).
fo
Percantag* survival3
Norn IjDa 1
cndrin
concsntrat I on
(ug/l)
0.60
0,30
0,15
0.075

0.038
Control
Mean
Mojn T»ccnlt» Tailing
Dupl lest*
chambers
A
B
A
B
A
. U
A
B
A
B
A
B

0.02
or-
Oc
92
88
100
100
96
100
100
96
95
100

0.05
Oc
Oc
100
76
92
84
83
84
92
100
88

0,93
Oc
Oc
92
96
HO
60
69
34
84
88
72
28

0.02
^
35.5+2.3
36.435.8
37,1+_3.4
36.4+3.1
36.5+_2.8
36.6+3.2
36.93>.0
37.5+3.7
36.9_*3, 1
total |9ngth_+SDb
(mm)
D (mj/litor)

0.05
_
36. '+4. 2
37,033.9
38,2+4.1
39-4+2,8
38.3+_3.7
38.8+2.7
38.13>,4
37.3+3.7
39.0+_1.8


0.93
-
36.7+2,7c
37. 13>.7C
37.9+-1.3
38.2T4.7
38.9+3.6
37.1JM.6
38.5+3.0
38.43>.7
39.2+4.1
39.1_*_3.8
Moan «»lght _+_ SDb (gm)


0.02
-
.43+. 09
,47+_. 14
.51+. 14
.44T. 15
.47+. 14
.47+. 12
.48+. 12
.50T. 14
.50+, 14
.473;, 12


0.05
-
.51+. 22
.52+. 20
.60+. 19
.50~T. 12
.63+, 12
.58_>_. 19
.60+. 12
.563;. 16
.51+. 16
.58+. 17


0.93
_
.49+.09c
.513;. 15C
. 58T. 23
,61+. 17
.52+;. 20
.58+, 15
.57T. 17
.64+. 23
,60_*_,09
         9Twenty-flv»  larvae  placed  In  each  test chamber.

         bSD = standard  dsvlation.

         cM»an of duplicates  is  significantly different frcxn control moan (Cunn»1ts" tost, P = 0.05).

-------
      Table 13-  Survival and Growth Data  for  Fathead  Minr»«s txposed to Soveral  Concentrations at Endrin at Three Taeonlte Tailings
                                                    Concentrations for 45 Days (Group B).
Percentage survival
Nominal
endr 1 n
concern r at i on
(ug/l)
0.60

0.30

0.15

0.075

0,038

Control

-rotal length + SDb
(mm)
Mean wolght _+_ SDb (gn)
Mean raconltu Tailings (mg/litar)

Dupl Icate
chambers
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B


0,02
Oc
Oc
75
90
CO
100
100
85
95
95
100
103


0.05
Oc
Oc
65
75
'JO
95
?5
95
90
95
80
100


0.93
Oc
Oc
90
100
90
80
100
70
75
80
85
60


O.u2

-
36.3+3.8c
36,>_>3.2C
36. 1+'..6C
36.3jM.2c
37.6+3.2
36, 7T2. 9
36.6+3.4
37.2j>.2
37.7+5.7
33.0j|_2.7


0,05

• - .
J4.8+5.1C
3>.5_t_3.3c
37.6+4.2
36.2^3.5
33.4+3.9
37.4+_3.3
39.6+3.2
39.133.8
38.2+4.0
39,8+2.6


0.93


35.3+2.7
34.9_*3.5
37.3+3.7
38.7+_2.8
37.6+3.2
38.4j^2,7
37.5+2,9
35.6+3,3
36.6+2.6
38.0j»_3. 1


0.02

-
,44+,13c
. 46T, 1 3C
,45+,17c
.48^.20"
.51 + . 14
. 48_+, 1 2
.50+. 17
.51+. 10
.52+. 20
,52^.10


0,05

-
.39+.18c
.43T.12C
.53+. 19
.47jf_, 13
.60+. 19
,51j+_. 15
.62+. 17
-60+_. 19
.58+. 18
.553;. 13


0,93

-
.43+- 12
.43^,13
,54+. 15
.57T.11
,54+. 13
. 57V. 1 2
.51+.]*
. 45"+". 1 3
.48+. 09
.61+. 15
^wanty larvae placed  In each tost chamber,

bSO = standard deviation.

cMean of duplicates  is significantly different  from  control  r.ean  (Ounnetts1  tost,  P = 0.05).

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        Table 14,  Concentrations of Endrln In Duplicate (A and 8) Ccmposlte Whole Body Tissue Samples (ug/g Wet rfolght) and Percent Fat
           (In Parentheses) for Fathead Minnows Exposed to Several Concentrations of Endrln »t Three Taconlte Tailings Concentrations
Mean Taconite Tailings (rag/liter)
0.02 0.05
Nominal
endrln Endrln tissue Endrin tissue
concentration concentration concentration
In water (ug/l) (uj/g)' Moan (jg/g)a Mean
A B n B
0.30 4,120(8.9) 3,760(8,7) 3,940 3,290(6,5) 4,130(8.8) 3,710
0.15 1,950(7.7) 2,240(10.2) 2,095 2,400 <9.6) 2,240(10.1) 2,320
0.075 ',050(11.1) 1,100(9.1) 1,075 1,240(11,1) 1,160(10.1) 1,200
0.037 552(8.0) 578(10,0) 550 573(11.2) 522(11.0) 548
'J 0,00 70(9,1) 55(10.8) 61 36( 0.7) 45(11.3) 40
(control)
0.93
Endrin tissue
concentration
(yg/g)' Mean
A D
3,400(9.4) 3,590(8.2) 3,495
1,950(10,6) 2,110(10,0) 2,030
998(10.8) 1,110(10.6) 1,054
570(10.7) 461(8,2) 515
T8(9,4) 85(10.3) 82
'Porcont fat In parontheses.

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           SO.OOOr
oo
        ,UMO,000

         en
         c.
        .£ 30,000
 c
 o

 s
*-
            20,000
c
o
O

c
v_
TJ
C
UJ
            10,000
                        Taconite Tailings (mg/liter)
                        • — 002
                        * — 005
                        .—0.93
                                                                          210
                                                                         240
270
300
                                     Endrin Concentration in Water (ng/l)
            Figure 1.  Linear relationship of endrin in fat of'fathead minnows exposed to

                      several concentratIons of  endrin at three taconlte  tailings

                      ccncentra t Ions.

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group U  fish.  At  0.05 rag/Liter  '...icon i te  tailings  concentration, the NOEC was




between  0.30 and 0.60  ug/liter  for  group  A fish  ond  between 0.15 rind 0.30




Ug/liter  for group JJ  fish.  At  the  0.95 rag/liter uaconite tailings




concentration the  NOEC for  endrin was  between  0.15  and 0,30 ug/liter for group




_A  fish and between 0,30  and 0.60 ug/liter for  group _B fish.  Although these




values are quite variable,  they  are  similar  to the  following results obtained




in previous endrin toxicity tests at  this l.iborat ory.   The NOEC for fathead




minnows  exposed to endrin  for  300 days was  between 0.14 nnd 0.25 ug/liter




(Jarvinen and Tyo, 1978).   A MATC determined for endrin exposed flagfish was




between  0.22 and 0.30  ug/liter  (Herm.inutz,  1978).







CONCLUSION
     The differences  in  toxicant  responses  measured  for  fish in these




experiments could be  caused  by  inherent  biological variability  of  the fish




and/or experimental  error.   However,  uiiese  experiments  ifo  reflect  the presence




of effect threshold  concentrations  unaffected  by  the  rrinpe  of  taconite tailings




concentrations maintained  in these  studies.   It  is concluded,  under the




conditions of these  experiments,  Lh.it  mean  taconite  tailings concentrations




ranging  from 0.004  to 0.95 mg/liter had  no  demonstrable  effect  on  the chronic




toxicity of cadmium  to the flagfish.   Similarly,  me-n  taconite  tailings




concentrations ranging from  0,02  to 0.93 mg/lucr had  no demonstrable effect on




endrin toxicity to  the fathead  minnow.   There  were also  no  effects  of taconite




tailings on the bioconcentrat ion  of cadmium or endrin  by the fish  studied.  The




information j.:uied  from  these toxicity tests  in  regard  to  the  direct  effects of




taconite tailings are inconclusive.   Therefore,  it  is  our  conclusion  that




taconite tailings at  the concentrations  tested did not  demonstrsbly alter the




effect threshold concentrations for cadmium and  endrin  determined  by  previous




experience in this  laboratory.




                                       29

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                                       31

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