Optimizing fish sampling for fish - mercury bioaccumulation factors

Barbara C. Scudder Eikenberry; Karen Riva-Murray; Christopher D. Knightes; Celeste A. Journey; Lia C. Chasar; Mark E. Brigham; Paul M. Bradley

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.12.068

USGS · 70155807

Optimizing fish sampling for fish - mercury bioaccumulation factors

Barbara C. Scudder Eikenberry·Karen Riva-Murray·Christopher D. Knightes·Celeste A. Journey·Lia C. Chasar·Mark E. Brigham·Paul M. Bradley

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Abstract

Fish Bioaccumulation Factors (BAFs; ratios of mercury (Hg) in fish (Hg fish ) and water (Hg water )) are used to develop Total Maximum Daily Load and water quality criteria for Hg-impaired waters. Both applications require representative Hg fish estimates and, thus, are sensitive to sampling and data-treatment methods. Data collected by fixed protocol from 11 streams in 5 states distributed across the US were used to assess the effects of Hg fish normalization/standardization methods and fish sample numbers on BAF estimates. Fish length, followed by weight, was most correlated to adult top-predator Hg fish . Site-specific BAFs based on length-normalized and standardized Hg fish estimates demonstrated up to 50% less variability than those based on non-normalized Hg fish . Permutation analysis indicated that length-normalized and standardized Hg fish estimates based on at least 8 trout or 5 bass resulted in mean Hg fish coefficients of variation less than 20%. These results are intended to support regulatory mercury monitoring and load-reduction program improvements.

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Barbara C. Scudder Eikenberry, Karen Riva-Murray, Christopher D. Knightes, Celeste A. Journey, Lia C. Chasar, Mark E. Brigham, Paul M. Bradley. 2015. Optimizing fish sampling for fish - mercury bioaccumulation factors. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.12.068

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