Fin erosion of perch Perca fluviatilis and ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua in a pulp mill effluent area

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Abstract
Very high frequencies, up to 80%, of fin erosion of perch Perca fluviatilis and ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua have been found in the area of a pulp mill releasing bleached kraft mill effluents, situated at the Swedish coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. In the effluent area, which was studied between 1984 and 1988, a gradient was established of both acute and healed fin erosion, showing decreasing frequencies with increasing distance from the pulp mill outlet. No fish from a reference area were found with these fin damages. Acute fin erosion was not found after 1984 which was congruent with a distinct decrease in discharge from the pulp mill. However, healed stages of fin erosion, i.e. regenerated fin rays resulting in a very specific scar on the fins, were still present with highest frequencies closest to the mill. The study clearly indicates that fin erosion of perch and ruffe in the effluent area was caused by the bleached kraft mill effluents from the pulp mill.

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