Further declines in organochlorines in eggs of red-breasted mergansers from Lake Michigan, 1977–1978 versus 1990 versus 2002

From 1977-1978 to 1990, concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and most organochlorine pesticides declined in eggs of red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator) nesting on islands in northwestern Lake Michigan. Further declines took place between 1990 and 2002. Between 1977-1978 and 1990 total PCBs decreased 60% (from 21 to 8.5 microg/g, wet weight). An additional decline of 46% took place between 1990 and 2002 (8.5 to 4.6 microg/g). Between 1977-1978 and 1990 p,p (')-DDE decreased 66% (from 6.5 to 2.2 microg/g), and from 1990 to 2002 an additional decline of 36% took place (from 2.2 to 1.4 microg/g). Between 1977-1978 and 1990 dieldrin decreased only 16% (from 0.82 to 0.69 microg/g), but from 1990 to 2002 a 96% decrease occurred (from 0.69 to 0.03 microg/g).     

Origin and spatial–temporal distribution of faecal bacteria in a bay of Lake Geneva, Switzerland

The origin and distribution of microbial contamination in Lake Geneva's most polluted bay were assessed using faecal indicator bacteria (FIB). The lake is used as drinking water, for recreation and fishing. During 1 year, water samples were taken at 23 points in the bay and three contamination sources: a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), a river and a storm water outlet. Analyses included Escherichia coli, enterococci (ENT), total coliforms (TC), and heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). E. coli input flux rates from the WWTP can reach 2.5 x 10(10) CFU/s; those from the river are one to three orders of magnitude lower. Different pathogenic Salmonella serotypes were identified in water from these sources. FIB levels in the bay are highly variable. Results demonstrate that (1) the WWTP outlet at 30 m depth impacts near-surface water quality during holomixis in winter; (2) when the lake is stratified, the effluent water is generally trapped below the thermocline; (3) during major floods, upwelling across the thermocline may occur; (4) the river permanently contributes to contamination, mainly near the river mouth and during floods, when the storm water outlet contributes additionally; (5) the lowest FIB levels in the near-surface water occur during low-flow periods in the bathing season.     

Temporal and spatial trends in water quality of Lake Taihu,China: analysis from a north to mid-lake transect, 1991–2011

Interpretations of state and trends in lake water quality are generally based on measurements from one or more stations that are considered representative of the response of the lake ecosystem. The objective of this study is to examine how these interpretations may be influenced by station location in a large lake. We addressed this by analyzing trends in water quality variables collected monthly from eight monitoring stations along a transect from the central lake to the north in Lake Taihu (area about 2,338 km²), China, from October 1991 to December 2011. The parameters examined included chlorophyll a (Chl a), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations, and Secchi disk depth (SD). The individual variables were increasingly poorly correlated among stations along the transect from the central lake to the north, particularly for Chl a and TP. The timing of peaks in individual variables was also dependent on station location, with spectral analysis revealing a peak at annual frequency for the central lake station but absence of, or much reduced signal, at this frequency for the near-shore northern station. Percentage annual change values for each of the four variables also varied with station and indicated general improvement in water quality at northern stations, particularly for TN, but little change or decline at central lake stations. Sediment resuspension and tributary nutrient loads were considered to be responsible for some of the variability among stations. Our results indicate that temporal trends in water quality may be station specific in large lakes and that calculated whole-lake trophic status trends or responses to management actions may be specific to the station(s) selected for monitoring and analysis. These results have important implications for efficient design of monitoring programs that are intended to integrate the natural spatial variability of large lakes.     

Stream Phosphorus Transport in the Lake Tahoe Basin, 1989–1996

Lake Tahoe is undergoing the initial stages of culturaleutrophication due to human alteration of the airshed andwatershed. The lake's switch from nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P)limitation has been attributed primarily to atmospheric Nloading. This places an increased importance on controllingwatershed movement of P to the lake. A stream water qualitymonitoring data set consisting of nine streams in the Lake Tahoebasin has been analyzed to characterize the spatiotemporalvariation of P delivery to the lake. This data is from the LakeTahoe Interagency Monitoring Program (LTIMP), which providesscientific data for planning and regulatory agencies to addressenvironmental problems in the Lake Tahoe basin. Results indicatethat P delivery (concentrations, loads) varies greatly atinterannual, seasonal, and spatial scales. Annual and seasonaltotal P (TP) concentrations can vary up to three orders ofmagnitude in a given stream and are strongly associated withsuspended sediment. Particulate P is the major form of Ptransported by Tahoe streams and was strongly correlated withpercent surficial geologic deposits, which are primarily locatednear streams. Tahoe streams with the highest annualP concentrations often had the lowest annual P loads, and visaversa. P loading is greatest during the spring snowmelt (75% ofannual average). Potential watershed parameters influencing Pdelivery to Lake Tahoe have been identified as precipitation,basin area, basin steepness, and road and human developmentcoverage. Results also suggest that human development impacts onstream P loads are most prevalent during high precipitationyears. Identification and quantification of stream sediment andP sources such as streambanks and impervious surface isnecessary to aid in watershed restoration efforts.     

Spatio-temporal footprints of urbanisation in Surat, the Diamond City of India (1990–2009)

Urbanisation is a ubiquitous phenomenon with greater prominence in developing nations. Urban expansion involves land conversions from vegetated moisture-rich to impervious moisture-deficient land surfaces. The urban land transformations alter biophysical parameters in a mode that promotes development of heat islands and degrades environmental health. This study elaborates relationships among various environmental variables using remote sensing dataset to study spatio-temporal footprint of urbanisation in Surat city. Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite data were used in conjugation with geo-spatial techniques to study urbanisation and correlation among various satellite-derived biophysical parameters, [Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, Normalised Difference Built-up Index, Normalised Difference Water Index, Normalised Difference Bareness Index, Modified NDWI and land surface temperature (LST)]. Land use land cover was prepared using hierarchical decision tree classification with an accuracy of 90.4 % (kappa?=?0.88) for 1990 and 85 % (kappa?=?0.81) for 2009. It was found that the city has expanded over 42.75 km² within a decade, and these changes resulted in elevated surface temperatures. For example, transformation from vegetation to built-up has resulted in 5.5?±?2.6 °C increase in land surface temperature, vegetation to fallow 6.7?±?3 °C, fallow to built-up is 3.5?±?2.9 °C and built-up to dense built-up is 5.3?±?2.8 °C. Directional profiling for LST was done to study spatial patterns of LST in and around Surat city. Emergence of two new LST peaks for 2009 was observed in N–S and NE–SW profiles.     

Trends in benthic macroinvertebrate community biomass and energy budgets in Lake Sevan, 1928–2004

Water levels of Lake Sevan (Armenia) were artificially lowered by nearly 20?m between 1949 and 1997. Lowered water levels, combined with increased eutrophication, were associated with seasonally anoxic conditions (lasting 1-4?months) near the bottom of the profundal zone each year during 1976-2004. In addition, the extents of the macrophyte zone and of certain substrate types were severely reduced following drawdown. Maximal depth of occurrence decreased by 2-44?m for at least for 50 species of benthic macroinvertebrates between 1982 and 2004 compared to 1937-1961. Species richness of benthic macroinvertebrates declined from 25 to three species at depths where seasonal anoxia occurred. Total biomass increased by a factor of 10 from the period 1928-1948 to 1976-1979 then declined by a factor of 3 to 4 between 1987 and 2004. Energy flow through detritivores was more than tripled during 1976-2004 compared to 1928-1971, a result of increased plankton primary production. In contrast, energy flow through herbivorous benthic macroinvertebrates decreased by a factor of nearly 5, due to reduced areal coverage of macrophytes. Energy flow through filter feeders did not change over the time period examined, but energy flow through the entire zoobenthos community was nearly tripled. The biomasses of Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, and total zoobenthos showed a delayed response to changes in primary production of 7-9, 2, and 2-4?years, respectively. These patterns may provide a basis to predict results of restoration efforts based on the abundance of the zoobenthos in future years as the level of the lake is restored and water quality improves.     

An Assessment of the Ecological Condition of Long Island Sound, 1990–1993

Data from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) from 1990 to 1993 were used to assess the condition of the Long Island Sound (LIS) estuary. Ambient water, sediment and biota were collected during the summer months from 53 LIS stations using an unbiased sampling design. The design consists of two LIS subunits, LIS proper, and small estuaries (<2.6 km2) at the margins of the Sound. Selected indicators of condition included: benthic species composition, abundance and biomass; fish species composition and gross external pathology; sediment physical and chemical characterization and sediment toxicity; and water clarity and quality. Results of the four-year sampling indicated that 28(±11)% of the areal extent of LIS proper had a benthic index < zero (impacted) and 51(±12)% of the area of small estuaries was impacted. Analysis of the results of other indicators also shows that small estuaries were particularly affected. For example, 42(±10)% of the areal extent of small estuaries exhibited sediment toxicity, and significant chemical contamination was evident in 22% of the area of small estuaries. Low dissolved oxygen (D.O.) concentrations (<5 ppm), however, appeared to affect only the deeper open waters of western LIS. Approximately 48(±12)% of the areal extent of LIS proper documented exposure to at least moderate D.O. stress (<5 ppm). The overall results of this monitoring study indicate that significant anthropogenic impacts have occurred in LIS and that if remediation was to take place, specific localized sediment problems would need attention. Point source and non-point source nutrient inputs to the Sound, which are believed to be the primary causative factor for the observed hypoxic conditions, would also need attention.     

Determination of Henry’s Law Constant of Formaldehyde as a Function of Temperature: Application to Air–Water Exchange in Tahtali Lake in Izmir, Turkey

The Henry's law constant (H) is an important parameter in predicting the transport, behavior and fate of organic compounds in environment. H is also required to model the air-water exchange of chemicals. Henry's law constant of formaldehyde (HCHO) was determined at six temperatures (50, 40, 30, 20, 10, and 5 degrees C) using a bubble-column technique. The apparent Henrys law constant (H*) values were strongly correlated to inverse of temperature (1/T, K) and the following relationship was obtained: In H* = (-1,641.3/T)-3.089. Seven concurrent ambient air and aqueous samples were also collected between October 11-17, 2005 at a sampling site located on the shoreline of Tahtali dam Lake in Izmir, Turkey to determine the magnitude and direction (deposition or gas-out) of HCHO flux. In all cases, the modeled gas-phase flux was positive (average +/- SD, 3,181 +/- 408 microg m(-2) day(-1)) indicating that atmospheric HCHO deposited to the Tahtali Lake.     

Heavy metals in water, sediment and tissues of Liza saliens from Esmoriz–Paramos lagoon, Portugal

Esmoriz–Paramos lagoon is an ecosystem of great ecological importance that is located on the northwest coast of Portugal and has been degraded as a result of industrial and anthropogenic activities. Concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) were measured in water, sediment and in tissues (liver and muscle) of Liza saliens, which is the dominant fish from the lagoon. Comparisons between metal concentrations in water and sediments were made with those in tissues of fish caught at the lagoon. Metals in water were quantified predominantly bound to particulate and equalled or exceeded the limit of chronic reference values. Metal concentrations in sediments varied among sampled sites. The relative order of concentrations was “Zn > Cu ∼ Pb > Cr” the same pattern observed for metals in water. Metals in fish tissues showed higher concentrations in liver (262 mg Cu·Kg⁻¹ and 89 mg Zn·Kg⁻¹) than in muscle (<3 mg Cu·Kg⁻¹ and 26 mg Zn·Kg⁻¹), while Pb and Cr were not detected. These results suggest that Cu and Zn are the metals of major concern in the lagoon. Mullet detritivorous feeding habits, bioaccumulation pattern and the high sediment metals concentrations relative to the water suggest that sediments can be the most important source of contamination in this ecosystem. The positive relationship found between Cu in liver and fish length demonstrates that time of exposure is a crucial factor in bioaccumulation. Condition indices (K and HSI) in mullets from the lagoon were higher compared to mullets from sea, suggesting abnormal condition in the lagoon population. We conclude that metals chronic exposure in the lagoon can impose considerable fish stress. The results also show that the lagoon is an area of environmental concern.     

Determination of Cadmium and Copper in Fish Samples from Sir And Menzelet Dam Lake Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

The cadmium and copper levels were determined in the total of 126 fish samples which belongs to five fish species collected from Sır and Menzelet Dam Lakes in Kahramanmaraş Province by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentrations of heavy metals were expressed as ppm wet weight of tissue. The mean levels of cadmium and copper in muscle, liver and gill tissues of Cyprinus carpiofrom the Menzelet Dam were found as 0.27, 0.91, 1.49 and 0.94, 1.2, 1.05, respectively. The mean levels of Cd in the muscle tissues of Leuciscus cephalusfrom the Menzelet Dam were found 0.32 ppm, Cd wasn't found in tissues of liver and gill. The mean levels of Cu in the muscle, liver and gill tissues were found as 3.17 ppm, 1.19 ppm, 0.96 ppm, respectively. The mean levels of the Cd and Cu in muscle and gill tissues of Acanthobrama marmid from the Sır Dam were found as 1.28, 2.64 and 0.72, 0.08, respectively. The levels of the Cd and Cu in muscle tissues of Cyprinus carpiofrom the Sır Dam were found 0.87 and 0.02 ppm, respectively. The mean levels of the Cd and Cu in the muscle and gill tissues of Chondrostoma regium from the Sır Dam were found to be 0.80, 2.62 and 0.67, 1.34 ppm, respectively. The mean levels of the Cd in the muscle tissues of the Silurus glanis was found as 0.60 ppm. In the muscle of the Silurus glanis from the Sır Dam, Cu was not found. The Sır Dam is more polluted than the Menzelet Dam from the point of Cd but less polluted than the Menzelet Dam From the point of Cu. A relationship was determined between species and their habitating region in terms of the levels reflected metal residues. In this study it was emphasized that the amounts of Cd and Cu in the samples were low, however, seas, lakes, rivers, soil, air and consumed foods etc. has to be controlled routinely.     

Environmental Contaminants in Blood, Hair, and Tissues of Ocelots from the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, 1986–1997

The ocelot (Felis pardalis) isan endangered neotropical cat distributed within asmall range in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), inTexas, U.S.A. Studies of the impacts of environmentalcontaminants in wild cats are few. Approximately onefourth of the estimated population (about 100) ofocelots in the LRGV was sampled to evaluate theimpacts of chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinatedbiphenyls, and trace elements on the population. Hairwas collected from 32 ocelots trapped between 1986–1992,and blood was collected from 20 ocelots trappedbetween 1993–1997. A few blood samples were obtainedfrom individuals recaptured two or three times. Tissue samples from 4 road-killed ocelots were alsoanalyzed. DDE, PCBs, and Hg were some of the mostcommon contaminants detected in hair and blood. MeanHg levels in hair ranged from 0.5 to 1.25 g g^-1 dw,Se from 1.5 to 3.48 g g^-1 dw, and Pb from 0.56 to26.8 g g^-1 dw. Mean DDE concentrations in plasma ranged from 0.005 g g^-1 ww to 0.153 g g^-1 ww, and PCBs ranged from 0.006 g g^-1 ww to 0.092 g g^-1 ww. Mean Hg levels in red blood cells rangedfrom 0.056 g g^-1 dw to 0.25 g g^-1 dw. Concentrations of DDE, PCBs, or Hg, did not increasesignificantly with age, although the highestconcentrations of DDE and Hg were found in olderanimals. Overall, concentrations of DDE, PCBs, and Hgwere low and at levels that currently do not pose anythreat to health or survival of the ocelot. This isfurther supported by good reproduction of the ocelotin the LRGV, where adult females averaged about 1.5kittens/litter. Thus, it seems that the current majorthreat to recovery of the ocelot in the LRGV may behabitat loss, although potential impacts of newgeneration pesticides, such as organophosphorus andcarbamate insecticides need further study.     

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments of northern littoral zone of Lake Çıldır,Ardahan, Turkey

In this paper, the heavy metal levels (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn, Fe, As, Cd, Cr, Hg), organic carbon, and chlorophyll degradation products were studied to prove their ecological effects in Lake Ç?ld?r, where fossil fuels are used as an energy source in the studied area for most of the year, and domestic waste from settlements is discharged directly into the lake. Sediment samples were collected from six sites on the northern shore of Ç?ld?r Lake, Turkey in November 2012. Enrichment (EF) and contamination factor (CF) values were determined, and Pollution Load (PLI) and Potential Ecological Risk (PER) indices were calculated. Average concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments were, in descending order, Fe?>?Mn?>?Zn?>?Ni?>?Cr?>?Cu?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cd?>?Hg, respectively. According to mean values, the source of these elements may be considered natural due to lack of enrichment in Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr in the sediment samples. Regarding enrichment of As, Cd, Mn, and Hg, the highest EF belongs to Hg. PLI and PER values indicate there are moderate ecological risk in the lake.     

Heavy metal concentrations in two barb, Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus from Atatürk Dam Lake, Turkey

Concentration of some heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in muscle, liver, kidney and gill of two barb, Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus, which have great economic values, in the Atatürk Dam Lake (Turkey). Heavy metal levels in fish samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP/OES). Heavy metal concentrations vary significantly, depending on the type of the tissue in fish species. The metal accumulation in the liver, kidney and gill of Barbus xanthopterus and Barbus rajanorum mystaceus was found to be quite high in comparison with that in the muscle. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in muscle tissues of Barbus xanthopterus were as follows: Co, 0.09; Cr, 0.12; Cu, 0.27; Fe, 5.26; Mn, 0.20; Ni, 0.08; Pb, 0.68; Zn, 1.39, whereas in muscle tissues of Barbus rajanorum mystaceus were as follows: Co, 0.11; Cr, 0.10; Cu, 1.07; Fe, 3.97; Mn, 019; Ni, 0.04; Pb, 0.66; Zn, 1.70 microg/g wet weight. Cd levels in gill and muscle tissues were below detection limits. All metal levels detected in tissues were safe for human consumption and within the limits for fish proposed by FAO/ WHO, EU and Turkish Food Codes.     

An Evaluation of Selenium Concentrations in Water, Sediment, Invertebrates, and Fish from the Republican River Basin: 1997–1999

The Republican River Basin of Colorado,Nebraska, and Kansas lies in a valley which contains PierreShale as part of its geological substrata. Selenium is anindigenous constituent in the shale and is readily leached intosurrounding groundwater. The Basin is heavily irrigated throughthe pumping of groundwater, some of which is selenium-contaminated, onto fields in agricultural production. Water,sediment, benthic invertebrates, and/or fish were collected from46 sites in the Basin and were analyzed for selenium to determinethe potential for food-chain bioaccumulation, dietary toxicity,and reproductive effects of selenium in biota. Resultingselenium concentrations were compared to published guidelines orbiological effects thresholds. Water from 38% of the sites (n = 18) contained selenium concentrations exceeding 5 g L^-1, which is reported to be a high hazard for selenium accumulation into the planktonic food chain. An additional 12 sites (26% of the sites) contained selenium in water between 3–5 g L^-1, constituting a moderate hazard. Selenium concentrations in sedimentindicated little to no hazard for selenium accumulation fromsediments into the benthic food chain. Ninety-five percent ofbenthic invertebrates collected exhibited selenium concentrationsexceeding 3 g g^-1, a level reported as potentially lethal to fish and birds that consume them. Seventy-five percent of fish collected in 1997, 90% in 1998, and 64% in 1999 exceeded 4 g g^-1selenium, indicating a high potential for toxicity andreproductive effects. However, examination of weight profilesof various species of collected individual fish suggestedsuccessful recruitment in spite of selenium concentrations thatexceeded published biological effects thresholds for health andreproductive success. This finding suggested that universalapplication of published guidelines for selenium may beinappropriate or at least may need refinement for systems similarto the Republican River Basin. Additional research is needed todetermine the true impact of selenium on fish and wildliferesources in the Basin.     

Heavy Metal and Trace Elements in Various Fish Samples from Sır Dam Lake, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

Achanthobrama marmid (thorn-bream) (n:24), Chondrostoma regium (nose-carp) (n:33) and Silurus glanis (wels) (n:21), and Cyprinus carpio (carp) (n:30) were collected from Sır Dam Lake in Kahramanmaraş Province. The iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) levels were determined in the total of 108 fish samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentrations of heavy metals were expressed as mg kg⁻¹ wet weight of tissue. The mean Fe and Mn levels of muscle and gill of C. carpio were 0.8–5.71 and 0.30–1.96, respectively. The mean of the Fe and Mn levels of muscle and gill of A. marmid were 1.22, 5.07 and 0.38, 0.85 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The ranges of mean concentrations of Fe and Mn levels in muscle and gill of C. regium were 0.91, 5.61 and 0.27, 3.42 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The mean value of Fe in S. glanis gill was 1.03, which of Mn was 0.17 mg kg⁻¹. Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, and Pb were not detected in the muscle of S. glanis. The mean values for Co in muscle of thorn-bream, carp, and nose-carp were 0.005, 0.01, 0.0 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Nickel values in the muscle were ranged between 0.38 and 1.93 in thorn-bream, 0.06 and 1.34 in carp, 0.14 and 1.89 in nose-carp, in that order. The mean Pb levels of muscle and gill of A. marmid were 0.14 and 0.29 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The mean values of Pb concentration of muscle and gill for C. carpio were 0.13 and 0.50 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. In C. regium mean values for Pb in muscle and gill were 0.06 and 0.06 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The mean value of Pb in S. glanis gill was 0.42, ranged between 0.0–0.92 mg kg⁻¹.     

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Livers of American Mink (Mustela vison) and River Otter (Lutra canadensis) from the Columbia and Fraser River Basins, 1990–1992

We investigated chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in aquatic mustelid species on the Fraser and Columbia Rivers of northwestern North America. Carcasses of river otter (Lutra canadensis) (N=24) and mink (Mustela vison) (N=34) were obtained from commercial trappers during the winters of 1990–91 and 1991–92. Pooled liver samples were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including non-ortho congeners, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Most samples contained detectable concentrations of DDE, PCBs, although there was substantial variability in patterns and trends among neighboring samples. Concentrations of DDE were in some mink and several otter samples from the lower Columbia River elevated (to 4700 g/kg wet weight); excluding one mink sample from the Wenatchee area, mean DDE levels generally decreased between 1978–79 and 1990–92. PCBs were present in all samples. PCB concentrations in otter livers collected from the lower Columbia were ten-fold lower than measured a decade previously; nevertheless, a sample taken near Portland had a mean concentration of 1500 g/kg, within a range of concentrations associated with reproductive effects in captive mink. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and TCDF were generally below detection limits, except for one otter collected near a pulp mill at Castlegar, on the upper Columbia, with 11 ng TCDD/kg in liver. Elevated concentrations of higher chlorinated PCDD/Fs, probably resulting from use of chlorophenolic wood preservatives, were found in both species; one otter sample from the lower Columbia had 2200 ng OCDD/kg. International TCDD toxic equivalent levels in mink (31 ng/kg) and otter (93 ng/kg) from the lower Columbia River approached toxicity thresholds for effects on reproduction in ranch mink.     

Determination of heavy metals and metals levels in five fish species from I??kl? Dam Lake and Karaca?ren Dam Lake (Turkey)

The concentrations of heavy metals and metals (Zn, Pb, Bi, Cd, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Mg, Cu, Cr, Ca, Sr, Na, Li, K) were measured in muscle of five species Cyprinus carpio (from I??kl? dam), Scardinius erythrophthalmus (from I??kl? dam), Tinca tinca (from I??kl? dam), C. carpio (from Karaca?ren dam), Carassius carassius (from Karaca?ren dam) caught from I??kl? and Karaca?ren. The highest metal was Na (466.95 μg/g) in C. carassius, while the lowest levels were Fe (0.37 μg/g) and Cu (0.37 μg/g) in C. carpio from I??kl? dam. The mean concentrations μg/g d.w. some of heavy metals in muscle of C. carpio (from I??kl? dam), S. erythrophthalmus (from I??kl? dam), T. tinca (from I??kl? dam), C. carpio (from Karaca?ren dam), C. carassius (from Karaca?ren dam) were as follows: Cd 2.00-2.10-1.95-2.06-2.27, Zn 4.36-2.64-13.13-13.33-24.47, Pb 1.65-1.24-1.90-2.37-2.41, Co 2.46-2.37-2.48-2.58-2.80, Mg 138.51-154.35-218.59-204.58-202.16, Fe 0.37-2.62-3.17-3.01-12.33, respectively.     

Environmental contaminants in male river otters from Oregon and Washington, USA, 1994–1999

This study reports hepatic concentrations and distribution patterns of select metals, organochlorine pesticides (OCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in 180 male river otters (Lontra canadensis) collected from Oregon and Washington, 1994-1999. Seven regional locations of western Oregon and Washington were delineated based on associations with major population centers, industry or agriculture. Cadmium (Cd) was not found above 0.5 microg g(-1), dry weight (dw) in juveniles, but increased with age in adults though concentrations were generally low (nd-1.18 microg g(-1), dw). Regional geometric means for total mercury (THg) ranged from 3.63 to 8.05 microg g(-1), dw in juveniles and 3.46-12.6 microg g(-1) (dw) in adults. The highest THg concentration was 148 microg g(-1), dw from an apparently healthy adult male from the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. Although THg increased with age in adult otters, the occurrence of the more toxic form methylmercury (MeHg) was not evaluated. Mean OC and PCB concentrations reported in this study declined dramatically from those reported in 1978-1979 from the lower Columbia River. Organochlorine pesticide and metabolite means for both juvenile and adult river otter males were all below 100 microg kg(-1), wet weight (ww), with only DDE, DDD and HCB having individual concentrations exceeding 500 microg kg(-1), ww. Mean SigmaPCB concentrations in both juvenile and adult male otters were below 1 microg g(-1) for all regional locations. Mean juvenile and adult concentrations of non-ortho substituted PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs were in the low ng kg(-1) for all locations studied.