ABSTRACT
In this contribution, the state of the science in applying biochemical responses to the study of pulp mill impacts will be briefly reviewed. The first international conference on the Environmental Fate and Effects of Pulp Mill Effluents in 1991 illustrated the utility of biochemical and physiological responses in determining exposure to pulp mill effluents. At that time, many questions were raised about the role of organochlorine compounds as dominant (or sole) sources of the responses observed. By the second conference in 1994, additional field sites, new techniques, and further pulping technologies had been assessed. Some progress in fundamental understanding of processes underlying biomarker responses was also made. However, the promise of biomarkers as “early warning indicators” has not yet been fulfilled. Finally, some speculations are made about remaining challenges and potential future advances.
