Chronic Effects of Coal-Liquid Dispersions on Fathead Minnows and Rainbow Trout

Abstract

Abstract Partial-life-cycle bioassays were conducted on fathead minnows Pimephales promelas and rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri, under continuous-flow regimes, with water-soluble fractions (WSFs) derived from a coal liquid. Phenols constituted 95% of the organic carbon in stock WSFs. Growth of larval fathead minnows was significantly reduced at 0.25 mg/liter total phenols as determined by dye photometry. Spawning of adult fathead minnows exposed to coal-liquid WSFs was inhibited at 1.27 mg/liter total phenols and was significantly reduced at 0.62 mg/liter total phenols. Spawning inhibition was not permanent at concentrations tested; after 21 days of exposure, fathead minnow pairs resumed spawning upon transfer to control water. The minimal concentration of WSF that resulted in significant mortality of rainbow trout embryos was time-dependent. No rainbow trout embryos survived 14 days of exposure to ≥2.98 mg/liter total phenols because of egg mortality or premature hatching. Swim-up rainbow trout suffered ra...