Identification and treatment of a waste stream at a bleached-kraft pulp mill that depresses a sex steroid in the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)

Changes to indicators of reproductive performance have been documented in fish exposed to some bleached kraft pulp mill effluents (BKPMEs). However, responses are not consistent across mill types or processes. It is not clear where the sources of the effects are within mills, what the causative compounds are, or what process changes are effective to remove these sources. Our previous studies suggested that condensates were a source of compounds that reduced plasma testosterone in the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). Results also suggested that reverse osmosis (RO) treatment of condensates removed this source. The objective of this study was to use a toxicity identification evaluation approach and expose mummichog to various waste streams in the laboratory to identify the effluent source that depressed plasma testosterone in the mummichog and the effects of RO treatment. In 7- and 21-d exposures, mummichog were exposed to dilutions of RO feed condensate, RO permeate, combined mill effluent (CME), and final effluent. Results confirmed that condensates depressed plasma testosterone in mummichog. Chemical characterization of the condensate indicated that plant phytosterols were likely not the responsible compounds. Results also confirmed that RO treatment removed the potential of the condensates to depress plasma testosterone in mummichog at environmentally relevant concentrations of final mill effluent (1%).