Are metal mining effluent regulations adequate: identification of a novel bleached fish syndrome in association with iron-ore mining effluents in Labrador, Newfoundland

Water quality guidelines for industrial effluents are in place in many countries but they have generally evolved within a limited ecotoxicological framework. Effluents from iron-ore mines have traditionally been viewed by regulatory bodies as posing little or no risk to the aquatic environment. Howe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquatic toxicology 2001-05, Vol.52 (3), p.311-317
Main Authors: Payne, J.F., French, B., Hamoutene, D., Yeats, P., Rahimtula, A., Scruton, D., Andrews, C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agnatha. Pisces
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Canada, Newfoundland
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates
Fish Diseases - chemically induced
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Iron
Iron-ore
Lake trout
Mining - legislation & jurisprudence
Newfoundland and Labrador
Salvelinus namaycush
Skin Pigmentation - drug effects
Toxicity
Water Pollution, Chemical - legislation & jurisprudence
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Summary:Water quality guidelines for industrial effluents are in place in many countries but they have generally evolved within a limited ecotoxicological framework. Effluents from iron-ore mines have traditionally been viewed by regulatory bodies as posing little or no risk to the aquatic environment. However, it was recently reported that lake trout taken from a large iron-ore contaminated Lake in Labrador (Wabush Lake) had elevated levels of DNA oxidative damage and were markedly depleted in levels of vitamin A ( Payne et al., 1998) in comparison with fish from a Lake (Shabogamo Lake) receiving lesser levels of effluents. Through further observations, it has now been established that the lake trout in Wabush Lake are commonly affected with a marked skin bleaching syndrome in comparison with fish in Shabogamo Lake and a nearby Lake (Ashuanipi) which does not receive effluents. To the authors’ knowledge such a syndrome which is characterized by marked reduction in skin pigmentation and overall increase in skin whitening has not been reported before in any fish population in association with contamination. Preliminary information for liver histopathological and blood cell differences have also been obtained in fish in Wabush Lake in comparison with Ashuanipi Lake. It has also been observed through studies on phosphatidyl liposomes that iron-ore leachate contains redox-active material (iron but possibly other transition metals) that has considerable potential for causing oxidative damage to cellular constituents. Using the weight of evidence approach it is indicated that iron-ore effluents may pose more of a risk to the aquatic environment than traditionally considered by regulatory agencies.
ISSN:0166-445X
1879-1514
DOI:10.1016/S0166-445X(00)00166-1