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  • The accumulation and disposition of benz(a)acridine in the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas.

The accumulation and disposition of benz(a)acridine in the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas.

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology (1981-09-01)
G R Southworth, C C Keffer, J J Beauchamp
ABSTRACT

The bioconcentration and metabolism of benz(a)acridine in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) was investigated using 14C-labelled benz(a)acridine. The rates of uptake, elimination, and metabolic transformation of benz(a)acridine were estimated in the fish. The equilibrium concentration factor [ratio of benz(a)acridine concentration in fish (wet weight) to benz(a)acridine concentration in water] was estimated at 106 +/- 17. The observed bioconcentration factor was about one tenth of that predicted by octanol-water partitioning models. Metabolic alteration was estimated to reduce the degree of bioconcentration 50 to 90% from the hypothetical case in which metabolic transformation did not occur. Benz(a)acridine metabolites attained concentrations in the fish considerably in excess of benz(a)acridine itself.