US EPA

4971820 

Technical Report 

Blood chemistry of the windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus in Long Island Sound (USA): Geographical, seasonal, and experimental variations 

Dawson, MA 

1990 

88 

3 

429-438 

English 

BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. This study represents an attempt to distinguish between normal seasonal variations and pollutant-related changes in the blood chemistry of the windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aguosus. Three stations in Long Island Sound, USA, were chosen to provide a pollutant gradient. Windowpane flounder were collected from the three stations monthly, when possible, over a period of three years. Seasonal variations were noted in hematocrit, plasma osmolality, sodium, potassium, and calcium. Station-related differences were demonstrated in osmolality, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. The same species was subjected to 60-day laboratory exposures to mercury, cadmium, or copper. Neither copper nor cadmium produced a significant difference in any variable measured. Following exposure to mercury, there were significant differences between controls and exposed animals in plasma sodium and calcium.