Metabolism of pentachlorophenol by fish.

1. Interspecies variability in the metabolism of pentachlorophenol (PCP) was investigated by exposing rainbow trout, fathead minnows, sheepshead minnow, firemouth, and goldfish to water-borne 14C-PCP for 64 h. 2. The amounts of metabolites in bile and exposure water were species-dependent; all of the metabolites excreted into the water were sulphate conjugates while bile was enriched in glucuronide conjugates. 3. Biliary excretion accounted for less than 30% of the total PCP metabolites. 4. Biliary metabolites alone were a poor indication of the metabolites produced and of the major routes of elimination.