CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION AND ASSOCIATED LIVER-DISEASES IN 2 SPECIES OF FISH FROM SAN-FRANCISCO BAY AND BODEGA BAY

Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus), white croaker (Genyonemus lin eatus) and sediments were collected annually from selected sites withi n San Francisco Bay, and a reference site in Bodega Bay between 1984-1 991. Fish livers were examined for toxicopathic lesions and analysed f or selected chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHs) such as PCBs, DDTs, chlorda nes and dieldrin; sediment and fish stomach contents were analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and CHs; and bile was analyse d for PAH metabolites. Sediment concentrations of PAHs, PCBs and DDTs; bile concentrations of PAH metabolites; and liver concentrations of P CBs, dieldrin and chlordanes were generally significantly higher at al l San Francisco Bay sites compared to the Bodega Bay reference site. F or both species, hydropic vacuolation of biliary epithelial cells was the most prevalent liver lesion detected and was statistically associa ted with sediment and tissue concentrations of PAHs or their metabolit es, PCBs, DDTs, chlordanes and dieldrin. Temporal trends analyses show ed that at Hunters Point, sediment PAHs and CHs increased between 1984 -1991, while liver concentrations of CHs decreased. Liver concentratio ns of dieldrin in starry flounder decreased at all three San Francisco Bay sites.