Development of a sediment bioassay to determine bioavailability of PAHs to fish

Recent work has shown that MFO induction and loss of control of steroid hormone production occurs in fish after exposure to pulp mill effluents, PCBs, PAHs, and some pesticides. We had recently developed laboratory assays to evaluate the effluents on these responses, but were lacking a protocol for a sediment assay. This paper describes the development of a sediment test capable of demonstrating MFO induction in fish. MFO responses were evident …