Toxic chemicals, including aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons and their derivatives, and liver lesions in white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) from the vicinity of Los Angeles

Sediment samples and white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) were collected from San Pedro bay, White Point and 5-mi Hyperion sewer outfalls, and from Dana Point (Los Angeles). Samples of bile, stomach contents and liver from the fish, together with sediment samples were analysed by capillary GC with mass spectrometry, FID and ECD detection. HPLC with fluorescence detection was used to determine metabolites of the aromatic compounds in bile samples. Results for the analysis of 12 aromatic hydrocarbons (AH), 6 chlorinated hydrocarbons (CH), and 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are tabulated. The highest concentrations of AH in sediments were found in the San Pedro bay, and the highest concentrations of DDT derivatives were in sediments near the White Point sewer outfall. Concentrations of AH, PCB and DDT derivatives were higher in food organisms taken from the croakers stomach than in the sediments. Croakers from San Pedro bay and White Point were substantially contaminated with DDT derivatives and metabolites from AH, compared with croakers from the Hyperion outfall and Dana Point. Observed pathological conditions of the liver were associated with exposure of the croaker to toxic chemicals, arising at least partly through ingestion of contaminated food organisms. A bibliography of 38 references is appended.