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A BIOPSY PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING FILET AND PREDICTING WHOLE-FISH MERCURY CONCENTRATION
Citation:
Peterson, S A., J Van Sickle, R M. Hughes, J. Schacher, AND S. Echols. A BIOPSY PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING FILET AND PREDICTING WHOLE-FISH MERCURY CONCENTRATION. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION & TOXICOLOGY. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY, 48:99-107, (2005).
Impact/Purpose:
to find better ways to determine mercury concentrations in fish
Description:
Although mercury contamination of fish is a widespread phenomenon, its regional evaluation is hindered by the reluctance of permitting agencies to grant collection permits, securing adequate freezer space, and processing whole, large fish or filets. We evaluated Hg concentrations in 210 tissue plugs (biopsy samples) from 65 sites in 11 western USA states relative to whole body Hg concentration in the same fish. We found a highly significant relationship (r2 = 0.96) between tissue plug and whole fish Hg concentrations for 13 piscivorous and non-piscivorous fish species. We concluded that, relative to conventional fish tissue sampling and analysis procedures for whole fish, the biopsy procedure for Hg in fish tissue is potentially non-lethal, less cumbersome, more likely to be permitted by fisheries agencies, and a precise and accurate means for determining both filet and whole fish Hg concentrations.