Heinz Body Hemolytic Anemia in Coho Salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus kisutch</i>) Exposed to Chlorinated Wastewater

Abstract

Fingerling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were exposed for 12 wk to various concentrations of treated wastewater containing total residual chlorine (TRCl 2 ) with riverwater diluent under continuous flow conditions. Levels of TRCl 2 averaging 0.003–0.05 mg/ℓ resulted in mild to pronounced symptoms of hemolytic anemia, including an increase in numbers of circulating immature erythrocytes, pathological changes in erythrocytes, and a reduction in packed cell volume and hemoglobin levels. In addition, Heinz bodies were formed at the 0.012 and 0.05 mg/ℓ TRCl 2 levels. The hematologic changes were attributed to the oxidative nature of TRCl 2 .