Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Brown bullhead at the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) Area of Concern: health and endocrine status in the context of tissue concentrations of PCBs and mercury

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The St. Lawrence River, at Cornwall Ontario, has accumulated sediment contaminants, mainly mercury (Hg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), from industrial point sources over many years. Although those sources are past, the river at Cornwall remains an Area of Concern (AOC). Because of remediation and other changes in the AOC, improved knowledge of contaminants in wild-fish and their putative links to health effects could help decision makers to better assess the AOC’s state. Thus, we compared tissue concentrations of Hg, PCBs, morphometric measures of health, and biomarkers of exposure, metabolic-, and reproductive health in native brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) from the AOC to those of upstream reference fish. Linear discriminant analysis separated the adult fish of both sexes among upstream and downstream sites without misclassification. Burdens of total-Hg (all sites) and PCB toxic equivalents (downstream sites) exceeded the guidance for the protection of wildlife consumers. There were subtle effects of site on physiological variables, particularly in female fish. Total-Hg in tissue correlated negatively to plasma testosterone and 17β-estradiol in female fish at Cornwall: moreover, concentrations of both hormones were lower within the AOC compared to reference site fish. A similar effect on vitellogenin, which was uncorrelated to E2/T at the downstream sites, indicated the potential for reproductive effects. Downstream fish also had altered thyroidal status (T3, TSH, and ratio of thyroid epithelial cell area to colloid area). Despite spatial and temporal variability of the endocrine-related responses, these subtle effects on fish health within the AOC warrant further study.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, B. A., Cyr, D. G., & Eales, J. G. (2000). Thyroid hormone deiodination in tissues of American plaice, Hippoglossoides platessoides: characterization and short-term responses to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 77 and 126. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Encocrinology, 127, 367–378.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J. (1990). St. Lawrence River Environment Investigation. Volume 4. Assessment of water and sediment quality in the Cornwall area of the St. Lawrence River, 1985. Great Lakes section. Water Resources Branch. Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

  • Baldigo, B. P., Sloan, R. J., Smith, S. B., Denslow, N. D., Blazer, V. S., & Gross, T. S. (2006). Polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, and potential endocrine disruption in fish from the Hudson River, New York, USA. Aquatic Sciences, 68, 206–228.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bandyopadhyay, S., Banerjee, P. P., & Bhattacharya, S. (1991). 17β-estradiol releases thyroxine from the thyroid follicles of a teleost, Channa gachua (Ham.). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 81(2), 227–233.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batchelar, K. L., Kidd, K. A., Munkittrick, K. R., Drevnick, P. E., & Burgess, N. M. (2013). Reproductive health of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from a biological mercury hotspot in Nova Scotia, Canada. Science of the Total Environment, 454-455, 319–327.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bechvar, N., Dillon, T. M., & Read, L. B. (2005). Approaches for linking whole-body fish tissue residues of mercury or DDT to biological effect thresholds. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 24(8), 2094–2105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhavsar, S. P., Hayton, A., Reiner, E., & Jackson, D. (2007). Estimating dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl toxic equivalents from total polychlorinated biphenyl measurements in fish. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26, 1622–1628.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bianco, A. C., & Kim, B. W. (2006). Deiodinases: implications of the local control of thyroid action. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 116, 2671–2579.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanco, A. M. (2020). Hypothalamic- and pituitary-derived growth and reproductive hormones and the control of energy balance in fish. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 287, 113322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bleau, H., Daniel, C., Chevalier, G., van Tra, H., & Hontela, A. (1996). Effects of acute exposure to mercury chloride and methylmercury on plasma cortisol, T3, T4, glucose and liver glycogen in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss). Aquatic Toxicology, 34, 221–235.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brar, N. K., Waggoner, C., Reyes, J. A., Fairey, R., & Kelley, K. M. (2010). Evidence for thyroid endocrine disruption in wild fish in San Francisco Bay, California, USA. Relationships to contaminant exposures. Aquatic Toxicology, 96, 203–215.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. B., Fisk, A. T., Brown, M., Villella, M., Muir, D. C., Evans, R. E., Lockhart, W. L., Metner, D. A., & Cooley, H. M. (2002). Dietary accumulation and biochemical responses of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126). Aquatic Toxicology, 59(3–4), 139–152.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. B., Adams, B. A., Cyr, D. G., & Eales, J. G. (2004a). Contaminant effects on the teleost fish thyroid. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 23(7), 1680–1701.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. B., Evans, R. E., Vandenbyllardt, L., Finnson, K. W., Palace, V. P., Kane, A. S., Yarechewski, A. Y., & Muir, D. C. G. (2004b). Altered thyroid status in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) exposed to co-planar 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl. Aquatic Toxicology, 67(1), 75–85.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Busacker, G.P., Adelman, I.R., & Goolish, E.M. (1990). Growth. In Methods for fish biology (C.B. Schreck and P.B. Moyle, Eds.), pp. 363–382. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda.

  • Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. (2000). Canadian tissue residue guidelines for the protection of wildlife consumers of aquatic biota: Methylmercury. In: Canadian environmental quality guidelines, 1999, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Winnipeg.

  • Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (2001). Canadian tissue residue guidelines for the protection of wildlife consumers of aquatic biota: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Updated. In: Canadian environmental quality guidelines, 1999, Canadian Council of Ministers of the environment, Winnipeg.

  • Castañeda Cortés, D. C., Langlois, V. S., & Fernandino, J. I. (2014). Crossover of the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal/interrenal, −thyroid, and -gonadal axes in testicular development. Frontiers in Endocrinology (Lausanne), 5(AUG), 139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, W. K., & Chan, K. M. (2012). Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in zebrafish embryo-larvae following waterborne exposure to BDE-47, TBBPA and BPA. Aquatic Toxicology, 108, 106–111.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crump, K. L., & Trudeau, V. L. (2009). Mercury-induced reproductive impairment in fish. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 28, 895–907.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dabrowska, H., Fisher, S. W., Ciereszko, R., Dabrowski, K., Woodin, B. R., & Stegeman, J. J. (2000). Hepatic P4501A activity, plasma sex steroids, and gonadal steroidogenesis in vitro in yellow perch exposed to 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 19, 3052–3060.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denslow, N. D., Chow, M. C., Kroll, K. J., & Green, L. (1999). Vitellogenin as a biomarker of exposure for estrogen or estrogen mimics. Ecotoxicology, 8, 385–398.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, Y., Tian, H., Wang, W., Zhang, X., Liu, J., & Ru, S. (2014). Disruption of the thyroid system by the thyroid-disrupting compound Aroclor 1254 in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). PLoS One, 9(8), e104196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drevnick, P. E., & Sandheinrich, M. B. (2003). Effects of dietary methylmercury on reproductive endocrinology of fathead minnows. Environmental Science & Technology, 37(19), 4390–4396.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte-Guterman, P., Navarro-Martín, L., & Trudeau, V. L. (2014). Mechanisms of crosstalk between endocrine systems: regulation of sex steroid hormone synthesis and action by thyroid hormones. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 203, 69–85.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2017). Environmental effects monitoring. (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/environmental-effects-monitoring.html) Accessed 18/12/2017.

  • Fitzgerald, E. F., Deres, D. A., Hwang, S. A., Bush, B., Yang, B. Z., Tarbell, A., & Jacobs, A. (1999). Local fish consumption and serum PCB concentrations from Mohawk men at Akwesasne. Environmental Research, 80(2), S97–S103.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fowlie, A. R., Hodson, P. V., & Hickey, M. B. C. (2008). Spatial and seasonal patterns of mercury concentrations in fish from the St. Lawrence River at Cornwall, Ontario: implications for monitoring. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 34, 72–85.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friedmann, A. S., Kimble Costain, E., MacLatchy, D. L., Stansley, W., & Washuta, E. J. (2002). Effect of mercury on general and reproductive health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from three lakes in New Jersey. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 52, 117–122.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuchsman, P., Henning, M. H., Sorensen, M. T., Brown, L. E., Bock, M. J., Beals, C. D., Lyndall, J. L., & Magar, V. S. (2016). Critical perspectives on mercury toxicity reference values for protection of fish. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 35(3), 529–549.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuzzen, M. L., Bennett, C. J., Tetreault, G. R., McMaster, M. E., & Servos, M. R. (2015). Severe intersex is predictive of poor fertilization success in populations of rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) from the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. Aquatic Toxicology, 160, 106–116.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, S. R. (2002). One-dimensional SDS gel electrophoresis of proteins. Current Protocols in Cell Biology, 37, 6.1.1–6.1.38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geraudie, P., Gerbron, M., & Minier, C. (2017). Endocrine disruption effects in male and intersex roach (Rutilus rutilus, L.) from French rivers: an integrative approach based on subcellular to individual responses. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology – Part B: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 211, 29–36.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gillette, J. S., Hansen, L. G., & Rose, R. L. (2001). Metabolic effects of episodic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. Reviews in Toxicology, 4(1–2), 129–159.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilroy, È., McMaster, M. E., Parrott, J. L., Hewitt, L. M., Park, B. J., Brown, S. B., & Sherry, J. P. (2012). Assessment of the health status of wild fish from the Wheatly harbour area of concern, Ontario, Canada. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 31(12), 2798–2811.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilroy, È. A. M., Muir, D. C. G., McMaster, M. E., Darling, C., Campbell, L. M., Alaee, M., Brown, S. B., & Sherry, J. P. (2017). Halogenated phenolic compounds in wild fish from Canadian areas of concern. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 36(9), 2266–2273.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Golder Associates. (2004). Report on evaluation of sediment management options for the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) area of concern. Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Kingston, Ontario. 04-1112-017.

  • Gong, Y., Tian, H., Zhang, X., Dong, Y., Wang, W., & Ru., S. (2016). Thyroid disruption in male goldfish (Carassius auratus) exposed to leachate from a municipal waste treatment plant: Assessment combining chemical analysis and in vivo bioassay. Science of the Total Environment, 554-555:64–72.

  • Grapentine, L., Milani, D., & Mackay, S. (2003). Assessment of the potential for mercury biomagnification from sediment in the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) area of concern. Environment Canada Publication, National Water Research Institute, Burlington.

  • Habibi, H. R., Nelson, E. R., & Allan, E. R. O. (2012). New insights into thyroid hormone function and modulation of reproduction in goldfish. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 175(1), 19–26.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, T. B. (2015). Ecotoxicology of polychlorinated biphenyls in fish--a critical review. Critical Reviews of Toxicology, 45(8), 643–661.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, L. M., Parrott, J. L., Wells, K. L., Calp, M. K., Biddiscombe, S., McMaster, M. E., Munkittrick, K. R., & Kraak, G. J. V. D. (2000). Characteristics of ligands for the Ah receptor and sex steroid receptors in fish exposed to bleached kraft mill effluent. Environmental Science and Technology, 34, 4327–4334.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iwanowicz, L. R., Blazer, V. S., McCormick, S. D., VanVeld, P. A., & Ottinger, C. A. (2009). Aroclor 1248 exposure leads to immunomodulation, decreased disease resistance and endocrine disruption in the brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus. Aquatic Toxicology, 93, 70–82.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jung, J. H., Jeon, J. K., & Han, C. H. (2005). Effects of 2,2′4,4′5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) on plasma sex steroids and vitellogenin in rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Encocrinology, 140(3–4), 295–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalisnik, M., et al. (1977). On the methodology of the thyroid epithelial cell thickness determination. Journal of Microscopy, 110(2), 157–162.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kauss, P., Hamdy, Y. S., & Hamma, B. S. (1988). St. Lawrence River Environmental Investigations Volume 1. Background:Assessment of water, sediment and biota in the Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York section of the St. Lawrence River 1979–1982. Toronto: Water Resources Branch Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavanagh, R. J., Balch, G. C., Kiparissis, Y., Niimi, A. J., Sherry, J., Tinson, C., & Metcalfe, C. D. (2004). Endocrine disruption and altered gonadal development in white perch (Morone americana) from the lower Great Lakes region. Environmental Health Perspectives, 112, 898–902.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, I. A., & Thomas, P. (2006). PCB congener-specific disruption of reproductive neuroendocrine function in Atlantic croaker. Marine Environmental Research, 62, S25–S28.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langlois, V. S., Duarte-Guterman, P., & Trudeau, V. L. (2011). Expression profiles of reproduction- and thyroid hormone-related transcripts in the brains of chemically-induced intersex frogs. Sexual Development, 5(1), 26–32.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larose, C., Canuel, R., Lucotte, M., & Di Giulio, R. (2008). Toxicological effects of methylmercury on walleye (Sander vitreus) and perch (Perca flavescens) from lakes of the boreal forest. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Encocrinology, 147, 139–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • León-Olea, M., Martyniuk, C. J., Orlando, E. F., Ottinger, M. A., Rosenfeld, C. S., Wolstenholme, J. T., & Trudeau, V. L. (2014). Current concepts in neuroendocrine disruption. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 203, 158–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • LeRoy, K. D., Thomas, P., & Khan, I. A. (2006). Thyroid hormone status of Atlantic croaker exposed to Aroclor 1254 and selected PCB congeners. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Encocrinology, 144(3), 263–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Letcher, R. J., Lemmen, J. G., van der Burg, B., Brouwer, A., Bergman, A., Giesy, J. P., & Van den Berg, M. (2002). In vitro antiestrogenic effects of aryl methyl sulfone metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethene on 17beta-estradiol-induced gene expression in several bioassay systems. Toxicological Sciences, 69(2), 362–372.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Licata, P., Tardugno, R., Pergolizzi, S., Capillo, G., Aragona, M., Colombo, A., Gervasi, T., Pellizzeri, V., Cicero, N., & Calo, M. (2019). In vivo effects of PCB-126 and genistein on vitellogenin expression in zebrafish. Natural Product Research, 33(17), 2507–2514.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Madenjian, C. P., Blanchfield, P. J., Hrenchuk, L. E., & Van Walleghem, J. L. (2014). Mercury elimination rates for adult northern pike Eskox lucius : evidence for a sex effect. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 93(2), 144–148.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Madenjian, C. P., Rediske, R. R., Krabbenhoft, D. P., Stapanian, M. A., Chernyak, S. M., & O’Keefe, J. P. (2016). Sex differences in contaminant concentrations of fish : a synthesis. Biology of Sex Differences, 7, 42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madenjian, C. P., et al. (2018). Ratio of mercury concentration to PCB concentration varies with sex of white sucker (Catostomus commersonii). Environments, 5, 94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marlatt, V. L., Gerrie, E., Wiens, S., Jackson, F., Moon, T. W., & Trudeau, V. L. (2012). Estradiol and triiodothyronine differentially modulate reproductive and thyroidal genes in male goldfish. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 38(2), 283–296.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marrugo-Negrete, J., Verbel, J. O., Ceballos, E. L., & Benitez, L. N. (2008). Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations in fish from the Mojana region of Columbia. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 30(1), 21–30.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McMaster, M., Munkittrick, K., & Van Der Kraak, G. (1992). Protocol for measuring circulating levels of gonadal sex steroids in fish. Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1836, 1–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMaster, M., Munkittrick, K., Luxon, P., & Van Der Kraak, G. (1994). Impact of low-level sampling stress on interpretation of physiological responses of white sucker exposed to effluent from a bleached kraft pulp mill. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 27, 251–264.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McMaster, M., Munkittrick, K., Jardine, J., Robinson, R., & Van Der Kraak, G. (1995). Protocol for measuring in vitro steroid production by fish gonadal tissue. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Government of Canada.

  • Metcalfe, J. L., & Charlton, M. N. (1990). Freshwater mussels as biomonitors for organic industrial contam- inants and pesticides in the St. Lawrence River. Science of the Total Environment, 97(98), 595–615.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monosson, E., Fleming, J. W., & Sullivan, C. V. (1994). Effects of the planar PCB 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) on ovarian development, plasma levels of sex steroid hormones and vitellogenin, and progeny survival in the white perch (Morone americana). Aquatic Toxicology, 29(1–2), 1–19.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monosson, E., Hogson, R.G., Fleming, W.J., & Sullivan, C.V. (1996). Blood plasma levels of sex steroid hormones and vitellogenin in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) exposed to 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 56(5):782–787.

  • Mulder, P. J., Lie, E., Eggen, G. S., Ciesielski, T. M., Berg, T., Skaare, J. U., Jenssen, B. M., & Sørmo, E. G. (2012). Mercury in molar excess of selenium interferes with thyroid hormone function in free-ranging freshwater fish. Environmental Science and Technology, 46(16), 9027–9037.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muttray, A. F., Muir, D. C. G., Tetreault, G. R., McMaster, M. E., & Sherry, J. P. (2020). Tissue contaminants and wild fish health in the St. Clair River Area of Concern - part 2: Spatial trends and temporal declines in organics. Science of the Total Environment, 136525.

  • Neff, M. R., Robinson, J. M., & Bhavsar, S. P. (2013). Assessment of fish mercury levels in the upper St. Lawrence. River, Canada. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 39, 336–343.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, E. R., Allan, E. R. O., Pang, F. Y., & Habibi, H. R. (2010). Thyroid hormone and reproduction: regulation of estrogen receptors in goldfish gonads. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 77(9), 784–794.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ontario Ministry of the Environment. (2006). Guide to eating Ontario sportfish. Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto.

  • Pandey, A., George, K., & Mohamed, M. (1993). Effect of mercuric-chloride on thyroid gland of Liza parsia (Hamilton-Buchanan). Journal of Advanced Zoology, 14, 15–19.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Picard-Aitken, M., Fournier, H., Pariseau, R., Marcogliese, D. J., & Cyr, D. G. (2007). Thyroid disruption in walleye (Sander vitreus) exposed to environmental contaminants: cloning and use of iodothyronine deiodinases as molecular biomarkers. Aquatic Toxicology, 83(3), 200–211.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto, P. I. S., Guerreiro, E. M., & Power, D. M. (2013). Triclosan interferes with the thyroid axis in the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Toxicology Research, 2(1), 60–69.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raine, J.C. (2011). Thyroid hormones and reproduction in fishes. Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates - Volume 1), Vol 1, pp 83–102.

  • Rastorguev, S. M., Nedoluzhko, A. V., Levina, M. A., Prokhorchuk, E. B., Skryabin, K. G., & Levin, B. A. (2016). Pleiotropic effect of thyroid hormones on gene expression in fish as exemplified from the blue bream Ballerus ballerus (Cyprinidae): results of transcriptomic analysis. Doklady Biochemistry and Biophysics, 467(1), 124–127.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richman, L. A., & Dreier, S. I. (2001). Sediment contamination in the St. Lawrence River along the Cornwall, Ontario waterfront. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 27, 60–83.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ridal, J. J., Yanch, L. E., Fowlie, A. R., Razavi, N. R., Delongchamp, T. M., Choy, E. S., Fathi, M., Hodson, P. V., Campbell, L. M., Blais, J. M., Hickey, M. B. C., Yumvihoze, E., & Lean, D. R. S. (2010). Potential causes of enhanced transfer of mercury to St. Lawrence River biota: implications for sediment management strategies at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Hydrobiologia, 647, 81–98.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sandheinrich, M. B., Bhavsar, S. P., Bodaly, R. A., Drevnick, P. E., & Paul, E. A. (2011). Ecological risk of methylmercury to piscivorous fish of the Great Lakes region. Ecotoxicology, 20(7), 1577–1587.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schnitzler, J. G., Klaren, P. H., Bouquegneau, J. M., & Das, K. (2012). Environmental factors affecting thyroid function of wild sea bass (Dicentrarchuslabrax) from European coasts. Chemosphere, 87(9), 1009–1017.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scholz, S., & Mayer, I. (2008). Molecular biomarkers of endocrine disruption in small model fish. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 293(1–2), 57–70.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, D. B. D., McMaster, M. E., Reiner, E. J., Hewitt, L. M., Parrott, J. L., Park, B. J., Brown, S. B., & Sherry, J. P. (2014). Wild fish from the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern contain elevated tissue concentrations of PCBs and exhibit evidence of endocrine-related health effects. Environment International, 66, 124–137.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song, Y., Wu, N., Tao, H., Tan, Y., Gao, M., Han, J., Shen, H., Liu, K., & Lou, J. (2012). Thyroid endocrine dysregulation and erythrocyte DNA damage associated with PBDE exposure in juvenile crucian carp collected from an e-waste dismantling site in Zhejiang Province, China. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 31(9), 2047–2051.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • St. Lawrence River Restoration Council. (1992). Remedial action plan for the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) area of concern. Stage1 Report: environmental conditions and problem definitions. Environment Canada & Environment Ontario, ISBN 0–662- 19958-8. Online: https://www.rrca.on.ca/_files/file/RAP/St%20Lawrence%20RAP%20Stage%201%20Environmental%20Conditions%20and%20Problem%20Definitions.pdf

  • St. Lawrence River Restoration Council. (1997). Remedial action plan for the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) area of concern. Stage 2 Report: the recommended plan. Environment Canada & Environment Ontario, ISBN 0–7778–6881-4. Online: https://www.rrca.on.ca/_files/file/RAP/Katherine_St_%20Lawrence%20RAP%20AOC%20Stage%202%20Report%20Nov%201997.pdf

  • Sumpter, J. P., & Jobling, S. (1995). Vitellogenesis as a biomarker for estrogenic contamination of the aquatic environment. Environmental Health Perspectives, 103, 173–178.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi, S., Shiraishi, F., Kitamura, S., Kuroki, H., Jin, K., & Kojima, H. (2011). Characterization of steroid hormone receptor activities in 100 hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls, including congeners identified in humans. Toxicology, 289, 112–121.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tetreault, G. R., Bennett, C. J., Shires, K., Knight, B., Servos, M. R., & McMaster, M. E. (2011). Intersex and reproductive impairment of two species wild fish exposed to multiple municipal wastewater discharges. Aquatic Toxicology, 104, 278–290.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tetreault, G. R., Bennett, C. J., Chang, C., Servos, M. R., & McMaster, M. E. (2012). Reproductive and histopathological effects in wild fish inhabiting an effluent-dominated stream, Wascana Creek, SK, Canada. Aquatic Toxicology, 110-111, 149–161.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA, (1997). Special report on the environmental endocrine disruption: an effects assessment and analysis. Final report EPA- 630-R-96-012, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 116 pp.

  • Vaccaro, E., Meucci, V., Intorre, L., Soldani, G., Di Bello, D., Longo, V., Gervasi, P. G., & Pretti, C. (2005). Effects of 17beta-estradiol, 4-nonylphenol and PCB 126 on the estrogenic activity and phase 1 and 2 biotransformation enzymes in male sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Aquatic Toxicology, 75(4), 293–305.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van den Berg, M., Birnbaum, L., Bosveld, A. T., Brunstrom, B., Cook, P., Feeley, M., et al. (1998). Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for humans and wildlife. Environmental Health Perspectives, 106(12), 775–792.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van den Berg, M., Birnbaum, L. S., Denison, M., De Vito, M., Farland, W., Feeley, M., et al. (2006). The 2005 World Health Organization reevaluation of human and mammalian toxic equivalency factors for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Toxicological Sciences, 93, 223–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Kraak, G., & Biddiscombe, S. (1999). Polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate the properties of the sex steroid binding protein in goldfish. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 20, 115–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, K., & Van Der Kraak, G. (2000). Differential binding of endogenous steroids and chemicals to androgen receptors in rainbow trout and goldfish. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 19, 2059–2065.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamano, K., Miwa, S., Obinata, T., & Inui, Y. (1991). Thyroid hormone regulates developmental changes in muscle during flounder metamorphosis. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 81(3), 464–472.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, L., Han, Z., & Liu, C. (2015). A review on the effects of PBDEs on thyroid and reproduction systems in fish. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 219, 64–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, J., He, C. T., Chen, S. J., Guo, M. N., Wang, M. H., Yu, Y. J., Yang, Z. Y., & Mai, B. X. (2017). Disruption of thyroid hormone (TH) levels and TH-regulated gene expression by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and hydroxylated PCBs in e-waste recycling workers. Environment International, 102, 138–144.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the contributions of Xiaowa Wang and Amy Sett for total Hg analysis and for coordinating the multi-element analysis. We thank Rimi Kalinauskas of Environment Canada and Jeff Ridal of the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences for general advice and guidance on status of the RAP, and for offering comments on this manuscript. We also thank the following: Jim Bennett and Cheryl Sullivan for gonadal histology; Ruth Vanderveen and Tammy Morgan for binding assays; Chad Boyko, Stacey Clarence, Kelly Cooper, Liisa Heikkila, and Cheryl Tinson for technical support and fieldwork.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada

    M. D. O. Pinheiro

  2. Faculty of Science, Ontario Technical University, Oshawa, Ontario, L1G 0C5, Canada

    D. B. D. Simmons

  3. Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Water Research Institute, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada

    M. Villella, G. R. Tetreault, D. C. G. Muir, M. E. McMaster, L. M. Hewitt, J. L. Parrott, S. B. Brown & J. P. Sherry

  4. Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B3, Canada

    B. J. Park

Authors
  1. M. D. O. Pinheiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. B. D. Simmons
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Villella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. R. Tetreault
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. C. G. Muir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. E. McMaster
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. L. M. Hewitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. J. L. Parrott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. B. J. Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. S. B. Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. J. P. Sherry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. P. Sherry.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

S. B. Brown is deceased

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 1055 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pinheiro, M.D.O., Simmons, D.B.D., Villella, M. et al. Brown bullhead at the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) Area of Concern: health and endocrine status in the context of tissue concentrations of PCBs and mercury. Environ Monit Assess 192, 404 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08355-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08355-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation