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Results

We worked with 47 states, three tribes, and two other federal agencies for four years (2000-2003) to collect fish from 500 lakes and reservoirs selected randomly from the estimated 147,000 target lakes and reservoirs in the lower 48 states. Sampling teams used consistent methods nationwide to collect samples of a predator fish species (e.g., bass or trout) and a bottom-dwelling species (e.g., catfish or carp) from each lake or reservoir. We analyzed fillets for the predator samples and whole bodies for the bottom-dweller samples to measure concentrations of 268 chemicals in the fish tissue. The final report will be completed in 2006.

Availability of Results

Data CDs are currently available that contain the results of quality-assured raw data (in an Excel file) from analysis of fish samples collected from 500 lakes and reservoirs in the lower 48 states from 2000 to 2003. Because of the size of the data files, we are releasing these results on CDs that also contain a quality assurance report for the analytical data. You can order these CDs by contacting Leanne Stahl (stahl.leanne@epa.gov or (202) 566-0404), National Lake Fish Tissue Study Manager.

Data Availability Announcement (PDF) (2 pp., 65 K): This summary provides background information about the study and describes what data are available.

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500 Sampling Locations

Map showing the location of the 500 sampling locations

Print version of the above map (PDF) (2 pp., 141 K) | List of 500 Sampling Locations (PDF) (13 pp., 52 K)

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Predator Summary

Bar chart showing detection of chemicals in predator fish tissue (fillet analysis) from all four years

Print version of the above bar chart (PDF) (1 page, 14 K).

Data Summary Table for Predators (Fillet Analysis) | Print version of the table (PDF) (1 page, 14 K)
Chemical Number of Sites Number of Non-detects Number of Detects Minimum Concentration (ppb) Maximum Concentration (ppb)
Mercury 486 0 486 23.2 6605
Total PCBs* 486 0 486 0.0607 705
12 dioxin-like PCBs* 486 1 485 0.000000303† 0.0386664†
Dioxins/Furans/dioxin-like PCBs* 486 1 485 0.000000303† 0.0462†
Dioxins/Furans* 486 91 395 0.00000002† 0.007545†
Total DDT* 486 108 378 0.766 1481
Chlordane* 486 390 96 0.592 100
Dieldrin 486 462 24 0.462 17.62
* Zero for non-detected analytes
† Values are based on TEQs derived using zero for non-detected analytes

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Chemicals Not Detected

This table lists all target chemicals not detected in the fish composite samples. The chemicals are arranged by chemical group and listed alphabetically under each group.

Chemicals Not Detected in National Lake Fish Tissue Study Samples | Print version of the table (PDF) (1 page, 11 K)
Chemical Group Chemicals Not Detected
PCB Congeners PCB-161
Organochlorine Pesticides Hexachlorobenzene
Organophosphate Pesticides
  • Chlorpyriphos
  • Diazinon
  • Disulfoton
  • Disulfoton sulfone
  • Ethion
  • Paraoxon
  • Parathion-ethyl
  • Terbufos
  • Terbufos sulfone
PAHs
  • Acenaphthene
  • Acenaphthylene
  • Anthracene
  • Benzo(a)anthracene
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Benzo(b)fluoranthene
  • Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
  • Benzo(j)fluoranthene
  • Benzo(k)fluoranthene
  • Chrysene
  • Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
  • Fluoranthene
  • Fluorene
  • Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
  • Perylene
  • Phenanthrene
Other Semivolatile Organics
  • 1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene
  • 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
  • 1,2-Dichlorobenzene
  • 1,3-Dichlorobenzene
  • 1,4-Dichlorobenzene
  • 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
  • 2,4,6-Tris(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol
  • 4,4'-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline)
  • 4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether
  • Diethylstilbestrol
  • Hexachlorobutadiene
  • Nitrobenzene
  • Pentachlorobenzene
  • Pentachlorophenol
  • Tetrabromobisphenol A

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