Sensory and Chemical Characterization of Fish Tainted by Exposure to Oil Sand Wastewaters

To investigate the potential for fish tainting from exposure to oil sands extraction wastewaters, rainbow trout were exposed to four different tailings pond wastewaters for a period of 24 hours. Subsequently, the fish were sacrificed, filleted and bile drawn from the gall bladder. Sensory analysis, performed by 10 pre-screened panelists, revealed that each of the four wastewater streams tainted the exposed fish to a detectable degree. Chemical analyses of the fish fillet, wastewater and fish bile revealed the presence of alkylated benzenes and phenols. The total level of phenols detected in the fish tissue was well above reported odour threshold levels. The additional presence of organic sulphur compounds identified in the wastewater suggests that they may also have contributed to the detected level of fish taint.