White sucker (Catostomus commersoni) growth and sexual maturation in pulp mill‐contaminated and reference rivers

Abstract

AbstractInduction of hepatic ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) activity and accumulation of chlorophenolic compounds typical of bleached‐kraft mill effluent (BKME) in fish sampled downstream of a pulp mill on the St. Maurice River, Québec, Canada, provided evidence of chemical exposure to BKME. In comparison, fish sampled over the same distances and in similar habitats in a noncontaminated reference river, the Gatineau River, demonstrated low EROD activity and contamination levels. Accelerated growth of white suckers occurred between 2 and 10 years of age in both rivers at downstream stations relative to upstream stations, suggesting the existence of gradients of nutrient enrichment independent of BKME contamination. The impact of BKME exposure was expressed as reduced investment in reproduction, as revealed by greater length at maturity, reduced gonad size, and more variable fecundity. These effects were not obvious in simple upstream‐downstream comparisons, but became evident when fish from the uncontaminated Gatineau River showed increased gonadal development and reduced age and size at maturity in response to enhanced growth rates.