Skip to main content
Log in

Trace metals in fish exposed to asbestos rich sediments

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Chrysotile asbestos fibers which contain high levels of Ni, Cr, Co, and Mn were introduced into the Sumas River by a landslide. The pH in the streamwater decreased with increasing distance from the landslide input source and in the process the trace metals in the asbestos rich sediments get leached. The findings from this study show that some of the trace metals such as Mn and Ni are elevated in several fish species. The Mn levels in fish muscle tissue and whole fish were found to be significantly higher than levels reported in the literature. Similarly Ni levels in whole fish were high. Threespine stickleback were found to have the highest Mn and Ni levels. Besides the elevated metal levels we have so far observed no other abnormalities in fishes of the system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Batterman, A. R. and Cook, P.: 1981, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 38, 952.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belanger, S. E., Cherry, D. S., and Cairns, J.: 1986, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 43, 43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belanger, S. E., Schurr, K., Allen, D. J., and Gohara, A. F.: 1987, Environ. Res., in press.

  • Bradley, R. W. and Morris, J. R.: 1986, Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 27, 341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi, I. and Smith, R. W.: 1972, J. Colloid and Interface Sci. 40, 253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cralley, L. J., Keenan, R. G., Kupel, R. E., Kinser, R. E., and Lynch, J. R.: 1968, Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. Nov., 569.

  • Cummins, B. T.: 1984, Asbestos Contamination of Air, Soil, and Water in Perspective, IRPTC Conference, CEP Consultants Ltd., Edinburgh, pp. 21–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forstner, U. and Wittman, G. T. W.: 1979, Metal Pollution in the Aquatic Environment, Springer Verlag, Berlin, 486 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hakanson, L.: 1984, Arch. Hydrobiol. 101, 373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, K.: 1985, Workshop Proceedings: Toxic Chemical Research Needs in the Lower Fraser River, Environment Canada, Regional Toxic Chemicals Committee, Pacific and Yukon Region, pp. 1–47.

  • Hanson, E. B.: 1985, Intern. Assoc. of Theoretical and Applied Limnology, Proceedings 22, 2232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartung, R.: 1974, Proc. Intern. Conf. Persist. Chem. Aquatic Ecosystem, Ottawa, I: 93–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, G., Page, M., and Dumas, L.: 1984, Brit. Journ. of Ind. Med. 41, 396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, T. C., Fedorenko, A., Fitchko, J., Juja, A., Van Loon, J., and Lichwa, J.: 1975, in D. D. Hemphill (ed.), Trace Substances in Environmental Health-IX, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, pp. 89–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inland Waters Directorate: 1979, Analytical Method Manual, IWD, Water Quality Branch, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Parts 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaurand, M. C., Gaudichet, A., Halpern, S., and Bignon, J.: 1984, British J. of Ind. Med. 41, 389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, D. W.: 1980a, in J. O. Nriagu (ed.), Nickel in the Environment. John Wiley & Son New York, pp. 283–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, D. W.: 1980b, Biological Monitoring of Toxic Trace Metals, Vol. 2, Toxic trace metals in plants and animals of the world, EPA Contract Report 68-03-044, EPA-600/3-80-090.

  • Lauth, J. and Schurr, K.: 1983, Micron. 14, 93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathis, B. J. and Cummings, T. F.: 1973, J. Water Pollut. Control Fed. 45, 1573.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monchaux, G., Bignon, J., Jaurand, M. C., Lafuma, J., Sebastien, P., Masse, R., Hirsch, A., and Goni, J.: 1981, Carcinogenesis 2, 229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, A., Lally, A. E., and Holmes, A.: 1973, Ann. Occup. Hyg. 16, 231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, A., Davis, P., Wagner, J. C., Berry, G., and Holmes, A.: 1977, Brit. J. Exp. Path. 58, 465.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, A. and Holmes, A.: 1986, Environ Res. 39, 475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ney, J. J. and Van Hassel, J. H.: 1983, Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 12, 701.

    Google Scholar 

  • Northcote, T. G., Johnstone, N. T., and Tsumura, K.: 1975, Techn. Rep. # 7, Westwater Research Centre, Univ. of Brit. Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., 41 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, W. J. and Whitestide, J. P.: 1977, The Analyst. 103, 664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, J. and Woodell, S. R.: 1975, Advances in Ecol. Res. 9, 255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salomons, W. and Forstner, U.: 1984, Metals in the Hydrocycle. Springer-Verlag, New York, 348 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreier, H. and Taylor, J.: 1980, Environ. Canada, Inland Water Directorate, Techn. Bull. # 117: 19 pp.

  • Schreier, H.: 1987, Environ. Poll. 43, 000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreier, H. and Timmenga, H. J.: 1986, Soil. Biol. Biochem. 18, 85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreier, H., Shelford, J. A., and Nguyen, T. D.: 1986, Environm. Res. 41, 99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, E. J. and Winer, A. A.: 1971, CIM Bulletin. 64, 55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shearer, K. D.: 1984, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 41, 1592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singleton, H. J.: 1983, MOE Techn. Rep. #2, B.C. Ministry of the Environment, Victoria, B.C., 114 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A. K. and Agrawal, S. J.: 1983, Experientia 38, 1309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stancil, D. E.: 1980, Fraser River Estuary Study Steering Committee, Government of Canada and B. C. Victoria, B.C., 187 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teherani, D. K.: 1985, J. Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 95, 177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toft, P., Meek, M. E., Wigle, D. T., and Meranger, J. C.: 1984, Critical Rev. Env. Control. 14, 151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong, S. C., Gutenmann, W. H., Lisk, D. J., Burdick, G. E., and Harris, E. J.: 1972, N. Y. Fish and Game J. 19, 123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong, S. C., Youngs, W. D., Gutenmann, W. H., and Lisk, D. J.: 1974, J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 31, 228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ure, A. M. and Berrow, M. L.: 1982, Environ. Chem. 2, 94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uthe, J. F. and Blight, E. G.: 1971, J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 28, 786.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schreier, H., Northcote, T.G. & Hall, K. Trace metals in fish exposed to asbestos rich sediments. Water Air Soil Pollut 35, 279–291 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290936

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290936

Keywords

Navigation