Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are released to the environment from oil sands operations and from natural sources in Alberta, Canada. Concentrations of 16 USEPA priority PAHs were measured in tissues of fishes collected from three locations on the Athabasca River in Alberta and two downstream locations on the Slave River in the Northwest Territories, Canada. A total of 425 individual fish were collected including 89 goldeye (Hiodon alosoides), 93 whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), 104 northern pike/jackfish (Esox lucius), 96 walleye (Sander vitreus) and 43 burbot/loche mariah/mariah (Lota lota). Fish were sampled during the summer and fall of 2011 and spring of 2012. Dorsal muscle of fishes from upstream reaches of the Athabasca River, close to oil sands extraction and upgrading activities, contained greater concentrations of individual PAHs than concentrations in muscle of fishes from further downstream in the Slave River. Concentrations of the sum of USEPA indicator PAHs (∑PAHs) in fishes collected in the vicinity of Fort McKay, closest to oil sands activities, varied among seasons with average concentrations ranging from 11 (burbot, summer) to 1.2 × 102 ng/g, wm (burbot, spring) with a mean of 48 ng/g, wm. Concentrations of ∑PAHs in fishes collected in the vicinity of Fort Resolution, the location most distant from oil sands activities, also varied among species and seasons, with average concentrations ranging from 4.3 (whitefish, summer) to 33 ng/g, wm (goldeye, summer) with a mean of 13 ng/g, wm. Significant differences in concentrations of ∑PAHs in muscle were observed within goldeye, jackfish, walleye and whitefish among sites. Health risks posed by PAHs to humans were assessed probabilistically using a B[a]P equivalents approach (B[a]Peq). The average lifetime risk of additional cancers for humans who consumed fish was deemed to be within an ‘acceptable’ range of risk (i.e., less than 10−6).
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to appreciate First Nations and Métis communities of Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay and Fort McMurray and numerous Provincial and Federal agencies for their assistance during the sampling. The Slave River and Delta Partnership provided invaluable assistance in the coordination of collection and assessment activities in the Slave River and Delta. Portions of this work were funded by the Boreal Songbird Initiative (BSI); Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC); and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). EO was supported by a New Faculty Scholarship to PDJ from the University of Saskatchewan. Prof. Giesy was supported by the Canada Research Chair program and the program of 2014 ‘High Level Foreign Experts’ (#GDT20143200016) funded by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, the PR China to Nan**g University and the Einstein Professor Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
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Appendices
Appendix 1
Lognormal probability density functions describing daily fish consumption (g/day) for Canadian Aboriginal fish ‘eaters only.’ Individuals reporting no fish consumption were excluded. Values were rounded to two significant digits. Values represent arithmetic mean ± standard deviation for definition of lognormal distributions. Different values for males and females are indicated only where statistically significant differences were observed between the sexes in the data. Values represent, respectively, the arithmetic mean ± standard deviation (ARITH), the arithmetic mean and standard deviation of the log-transformed data (LN-TRANS), the geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (GEOMET) (Richardson 1997, 2013).
Gender | Children | Teens | Adults | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Females | ||||
ARITH | 170 ± 150 | 150 ± 150 | 180 ± 140 | 250 ± 240 |
LN-TRANS | 4.85 ± 0.76 | 4.66 ± 0.83 | 4.96 ± 0.69 | 5.19 ± 0.81 |
GEOMET | 128 ± 2.1 | 106 ± 2.3 | 143 ± 2.0 | 179 ± 2.2 |
Males | ||||
ARITH | 170 ± 150 | 260 ± 250 | 270 ± 190 | 250 ± 240 |
LN-TRANS | 4.85 ± 0.76 | 5.23 ± 0.81 | 5.40 ± 0.63 | 5.19 ± 0.81 |
GEOMET | 128 ± 2.1 | 187 ± 2.2 | 221 ± 1.9 | 179 ± 2.2 |
Sexes combined | ||||
ARITH | 170 ± 150 | 200 ± 200 | 220 ± 160 | 250 ± 240 |
LN-TRANS | 4.85 ± 0.76 | 4.95 ± 0.83 | 5.18 ± 0.65 | 5.19 ± 0.81 |
GEOMET | 128 ± 2.1 | 141 ± 2.3 | 178 ± 1.9 | 179 ± 2.2 |
Appendix 2
Proposed probability density functions describing body weight (kg) in the Canadian population. In all cases, PDFs should be defined as lognormal. Values represent, respectively, the arithmetic mean ± standard deviation (ARITH), the arithmetic mean and standard deviation of the log-transformed data (LN-TRANS), the geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (GEOMET) (Richardson 1997, 2013).
Age group | Distribution | Females | Males | Sexes combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Infants (0–6 months) | Arth | 8.2 ± 2.9 | ||
Ln-Trans | – | – | 2.05 ± 0.34 | |
Geomet | – | – | 7.8 ± 1.4 | |
Toddlers (7 months–4 years) | Arth | 16.4 ± 4.5 | 16.5 ± 4.6 | 16.5 ± 4.5 |
Ln-Trans | 2.76 ± 0.27 | 2.77 ± 0.27 | 2.77 ± 0.27 | |
Geomet | 15.8 ± 1.3 | 16.0 ± 1.3 | 16.0 ± 1.3 | |
Children (5–11 years) | Arth | 33.6 ± 9.3 | 32.2 ± 8.0 | 32.9 ± 8.9 |
Ln-Trans | 3.48 ± 0.27 | 3.44 ± 0.24 | 3.46 ± 0.27 | |
Geomet | 32.5 ± 1.3 | 31.2 ± 1.3 | 31.8 ± 1.3 | |
Teens (12–19 years) | Arth | 56.2 ± 10.2 | 63.1 ± 15.3 | 59.7 ± 13.5 |
Ln-Trans | 4.01 ± 0.18 | 4.12 ± 0.24 | 4.06 ± 0.22 | |
Geomet | 55.1 ± 1.2 | 61.6 ± 1.3 | 58.0 ± 1.2 | |
Adults (20–59 years) | Arth | 63.1 ± 11.9 | 78.8 ± 12.3 | 70.7 ± 14.4 |
Ln-Trans | 4.13 ± 0.18 | 4.35 ± 0.16 | 4.24 ± 0.20 | |
Geomet | 62.2 ± 1.2 | 77.5 ± 1.2 | 69.4 ± 1.2 | |
Seniors (60+ years) | Arth | 63.4 ± 11.6 | 78.9 ± 14.2 | 70.6 ± 15.0 |
Ln-Trans | 4.13 ± 0.18 | 4.35 ± 0.18 | 4.23 ± 0.21 | |
Geomet | 62.2 ± 1.2 | 77.5 ± 1.2 | 68.7 ± 1.2 | |
Adults (20+ years) | Arth | 63.1 ± 11.8 | 78.8 ± 12.6 | 70.7 ± 14.5 |
Ln-Trans | 4.13 ± 0.19 | 4.35 ± 0.16 | 4.24 ± 0.20 | |
Geomet | 62.2 ± 1.2 | 77.5 ± 1.2 | 69.4 ± 1.2 |
Appendix 3
Mean (± SD) values for parameters, including: length (cm), mass (g)and liver somatic index (LSI) of fishes collected at Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay and Fort McMurray in 2011–2012 in (A) summer, (B) fall, (C) spring. Number of individual fish collected indicated in brackets (n). n.a = no specimen available this location/season. F = Fort.
Fish species | F. McMurray | F. McKay | F. Chipewyan | F. Smith | F. Resolution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3a. Summer | ||||||
Burbot | Length | 41 ± 3.4 (3) | n.a | 42 ± 3.4 (2) | 50 ± 9.2 (5) | 62 ± 4.4 (10) |
Mass | 420 ± 104(3) | n.a | 693 ± 104 (2) | 577 ± 320 (5) | 1591 ± 341 (10) | |
LSI | 6.9 ± 1.5 (3) | n.a | 5.1 ± 1.5(2) | 2.0 ± 0.2 (5) | 13 ± 21 (10) | |
Goldeye | Length | 35 ± 4.5 (10) | 38 ± 2.7 (10) | 37 ± 1.1 (10) | 29 ± 3.5 (10) | 38 ± 1.8 (2) |
Mass | 489 ± 154 (10) | 685 ± 140 (10) | 573 ± 55 (10) | 221 ± 95 (10) | 646 ± 153 (2) | |
LSI | 1.2 ± 0.3 (10) | 1.5 ± 0.2 (10) | 1.2 ± 0.3 (10) | 0.7 ± 0.2 (10) | 1.1 ± 0.1 (2) | |
Jackfish | Length (cm) | 61 ± 22 (10) | 62 ± 10 (10) | 66 ± 5.1 (10) | 68 ± 505 (10) | 64 ± 4.2 (10) |
Mass (g) | 1610 ± 1369 (10) | 1938 ± 1172 (10) | 2178 ± 1102(10) | 2457 ± 981 (10) | 1976 ± 1276 (10) | |
LSI | 1.4 ± 0.7 (10) | 1.8 ± 0.4 (10) | 0.8 ± 0.3 (10) | 1.4 ± 0.6 (10) | 3.3 ± 4.8 (10) | |
Walleye | Length | 5.8 ± 10 (10) | 45 ± 13 (10) | 51 ± 3.4 (10) | 40 ± 7.6 (10) | n.a |
Mass | 1347 ± 646 (10) | 1003 ± 566 (10) | 1365 ± 247(10) | 644 ± 364 (10) | n.a | |
LSI | 1.1 ± 0.3 (10) | 1.0 ± 0.3 (10) | 1.1 ± 0.4 (10) | 0.8 ± 0.2 (10) | n.a | |
Whitefish | Length (cm) | n.a | 42 ± 4.2(10) | 41 ± 3.4 (10) | 41.1 ± 3.7 (8) | 39 ± 1.9 (10) |
Mass | n.a | 1281 ± 323 (10) | 1177 ± 324 (10) | 864 ± 145 (8) | 685 ± 223 (10) | |
LSI | n.a | 1.0 ± 0.2 (10) | 1.2 ± 0.3 (10) | 0.8 ± 0.3 (8) | 1.9 ± 3.2 (10) | |
3b. Fall | ||||||
Burbot | Length | n.a | 55 ± 0.9 (2) | 59 ± 2.8 (3) | 61 ± 5.1 (3) | 61 ± 5.0 (10) |
Mass | n.a | 1075 ± 7.1 (2) | 1387 ± 74 (3) | 1335 ± 158 (3) | 1662 ± 404 (10) | |
LSI | n.a | 2.1 ± 0.1 (2) | 3.0 ± 0.4 (3) | 2.9 ± 0.4 (3) | 3.2 ± 1.4 (10) | |
Goldeye | Length | 39 ± 0.0 (1) | 36 ± 1.4 (10) | 37 ± 2.7 (10) | 36 ± 1.3 (10) | 36 ± 0.9 (10) |
Mass | 700 ± 0.0 (1) | 537 ± 47 (10) | 627 ± 95 (10) | 552 ± 66 (10) | 546 ± 65 (10) | |
LSI | 1.4 ± 0.0 (1) | 1.3 ± 0.1 (10) | 1.5 ± 0.5 (10) | 2.1 ± 3.1 (10) | 1.3 ± 0.2 (10) | |
Jackfish | Length | 72 ± 14 (3) | 63 ± 8.8 (9) | 76 ± 2.5 (10) | 67 ± 8.4 (10) | 69 ± 11 (10) |
Mass | 3287 ± 1454(3) | 2531 ± 1415 (9) | 4220 ± 1157 (10) | 1390 ± 522 (10) | 1266 ± 538 (10) | |
LSI | 1.9 ± 0.4 (3) | 1.9 ± 0.3 (9) | 1.7 ± 0.2 (10) | 1.1 ± 0.5 (10) | 1.2 ± 0.4 (10) | |
Walleye | Length | 42 ± 11 (3) | 49 ± 4.8 (10) | 50 ± 2.5 (5) | 49 ± 5.5 (10) | 47 ± 6.9 (10) |
Mass | 940 ± 588(3) | 1356 ± 408 (10) | 4220 ± 1157 (5) | 1390 ± 522 (10) | 1266 ± 538 (10) | |
LSI | 1.9 ± 0.1 (3) | 1.5 ± 0.5 (10) | 1.7 ± 0.2 (5) | 1.3 ± 0.4 (10) | 2.4 ± 1.2 (10) | |
Whitefish | Length | 42 ± 3.4 (10) | 40 ± 2.2 (10) | 39 ± 3.1 (10) | 41 ± 1.8 (10) | 44 ± 3.5 (10) |
Mass | 1042 ± 235 (10) | 1020 ± 150 (10) | 1072 ± 200 (10) | 1019 ± 125(10) | 1296 ± 38 (10) | |
LSI | 0.8 ± 0.1 (10) | 0.8 ± 0.2 (10) | 1.4 ± 0.4 (10) | 0.8 ± 0.2 (10) | 0.9 ± 0.2 (10) | |
3c. Spring | ||||||
Burbot | Length | 39 ± 2.6 (3) | n.a | n.a | 38 ± 0.0 (1) | 63 ± 3.3 (6) |
Mass | 420 ± 87 (3) | n.a | n.a | 750 ± 0.0 (1) | 1623 ± 632 (6) | |
LSI | 5.2 ± 1.9 (3) | n.a | n.a | 1.1 ± 0.0 (1) | 7.5 ± 3.7 (6) | |
Goldeye | Length | 34 ± 2.9 (10) | 27 ± 5.1 (10) | 35 ± 3.1 (10) | 37 ± 1.9 (10) | 35 ± 3.8 (10) |
Mass | 524 ± 113 (10) | 285 ± 186 (10) | 490 ± 109 (10) | 570 ± 100(10) | 554 ± 166 (10) | |
LSI | 1.1 ± 0.2 (10) | 1.4 ± 0.2 (10) | 1.5 ± 0.6 (10) | 1.3 ± 0.2 (10) | 1.3 ± 0.2 (10) | |
Jackfish | Length | 63 ± 9.1 (10) | 60 ± 7.2 (5) | 63 ± 8.0 (10) | 69 ± 11 (10) | 69 ± 5.8 (10) |
Mass | 3389 ± 1209 (10) | 1862 ± 1425 (5) | 1653 ± 468. (10) | 3237 ± 1508 (10) | 2272 ± 1020 (10) | |
LSI | 1.7 ± 0.6 (10) | 1.4 ± 0.5 (5) | 1.2 ± 0.5 (10) | 1.4 ± 0.2 (10) | 2.6 ± 4.4 (10) | |
Walleye | Length | 48 ± 6.8 (10) | 44 ± 2.6 (10) | 50 ± 6.6 (10) | 51 ± 8.7 (10) | 46 ± 13 (10) |
Mass | 1740 ± 870 (10) | 1092 ± 148(10) | 1367 ± 398 (10) | 1623 ± 771 (10) | 1180 ± 712 (10) | |
LSI | 1.2 ± 0.4 (10) | 1.2 ± 0.3 (10) | 1.4 ± 0.3 (10) | 1.6 ± 0.5 (10) | 1.5 ± 0.4 (10) | |
Whitefish | Length | 42 ± 2.0 (4) | 38 ± 1.8 (2) | 43 ± 5.8 (10) | 41 ± 1.3 (5) | 39 ± 2.6 (10) |
Mass | 1278 ± 315 (4) | 1025 ± 35(2) | 1384 ± 392 (10) | 990 ± 115.3 (5) | 807 ± 197 (10) | |
LSI | 1.2 ± 0.1 (4) | 1.0 ± 0.0 (2) | 1.3 ± 0.2 (10) | 0.9 ± 0.2 (5) | 1.1 ± 0.3 (10) | |
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Ohiozebau, E., Tendler, B., Codling, G. et al. Potential health risks posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in muscle tissues of fishes from the Athabasca and Slave Rivers, Canada. Environ Geochem Health 39, 139–160 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9815-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9815-3