A kerosene-like taint in the sea mullet, Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus). I. Composition and environmental occurence of the tainting substance

Abstract

A kerosene-like taint in sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) from south Queensland has been found to be due to a mixture of hydrocarbons closely resembling commercial kerosene in composition. Similar substances were isolated from sediments in certain areas of the Brisbane River and from effluents discharging into one of these areas. Hydrocarbon-containing sediments, consumed with food, were found in the gut of tainted sea mullet captured in the Brisbane River and are believed to cause kerosene-like tainting in the flesh. However, the presence of hydrocarbons in river water indicates the possibility of absorption through the gills. It is suggested that tainted fish from the Brisbane River join untainted fish from other rivers in the winter spawning run northwards. This may explain the capture of tainted fish, together with untainted fish, during the winter period when the commercial mullet fishery is at its maximum intensity.