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CONNECTICUT RIVER FISH TISSUE CONTAMINANT STUDY (2000): ECOLOGICAL AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK SCREENING
Citation:
HELLYER, GREG. CONNECTICUT RIVER FISH TISSUE CONTAMINANT STUDY (2000): ECOLOGICAL AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK SCREENING .
Impact/Purpose:
What were the levels of contaminants (i.e., mercury, dioxin-like PCBs, dioxins, and chlorinated pesticides), in the year 2000, in three common fish species (i.e., smallmouth bass, white sucker, and yellow perch)? Is there a potential risk to human health from eating Connecticut River fish? What threats does eating these fish pose to other mammals, birds, and fish?
Description:
The study targeted commonly caught recreational fish, as well as other fish that are important in the river food chain. Smallmouth bass, white suckers and yellow perch were collected during 2000 from the mainstem of the Connecticut River and composite samples were analyzed for total mercury, coplanar (dioxin-like) PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, including DDT and its breakdown products. Twelve samples were also analyzed for dioxins, owing to cost and complexity of these analyses. Contaminant levels were compared statistically between 8 river Reaches (segments).