Factors Influencing EROD Activity in Feral Winter Flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) Exposed to Effluent from a Pulp and Paper Mill in Newfoundland.

The article focuses on the factors influencing the 7-ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase (EROD) activity in Feral Winter Flounder which was exposed to effluent from a pulp and paper mill in Newfoundland, Canada. Aquatic organisms can biotransform organic chemicals by producing a series of enzymes which include the mixed function oxygenase (MFO) system. Effluent discharged by pulp and paper mills have been reported to induce MFO activity in a number of fish species. Winter flounder were captured at depths of 5 to 10 m by SCUBA divers. Results showed that EROD activity varied depending on water temperature, gender, sexual maturity and site of sampling in feral winter flounder inhabiting the fjord receiving effluent from the pulp and paper mill.