Uptake, distribution, and elimination of sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and sodium alkyl sulfate in carp.

Uptake, distribution, and elimination of labeled surfactants, 35S-labeled sodium laurylbenzenesulfonate (35S-C12-LAS) and 35S-labeled sodium lauryl sulfate (35S-C12-AS), were investigated in carp exposed to a low concentration level of the respective solutions found in river water in Japan by whole-body autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting. Whole-body autoradiograms showed that the fish absorbed 35S-C12-LAS and 35S-C12-AS from the solutions principally through gills and that the surfactants absorbed were rapidly distributed throughout the body tissues and organs. High concentrations were found in gills, blood, hepatopancreas, kidney, and gall bladder. The elimination in the fish that were kept in clean fresh water after exposure were relatively rapid in most tissues and organs except for gall bladder. These results suggest that the surfactants absorbed in fish may have an adverse effect on many tissues and organs of fish. What influenced the distribution profile and concentration factors of the surfactants in tissues and organs of carp were the exposure time and the molecular structure of the surfactants.