Effects of Aroclor(R)1016 on Embryos, Fry, Juveniles, and Adults of Sheepshead Minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus)

Abstract

Abstract We investigated the toxicity of Aroclor 1016 to, and uptake by, fry and juvenile and adult sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) in intermittent-flow bioassays lasting 28 days. Survival of eggs, of fry hatched from them, and of juvenile and adult fish apparently was not affected by 0.1, 0.32, 1.0, 3.2, or μg/liter of Aroclor 1016 added to aquaria, but 32 and 100 μg/liter killed newly hatched fry and juvenile and adult fish. Sheepshead minnows accumulated the chemical in proportion to its concentration in the test water. Fry contained 2,500 to 8,100 X the concentration of Aroclor 1016 added to the test water, adults 4,700 to 14,000 X, and juveniles 10,000 to 34,000 X. As much as 77 μg/g of Aroclor 1016 in eggs from exposed adults apparently did not affect survival of embryos and fry.