Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 09064

Branch : Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory

Study Plan Number : 09064

Study Title : An evaluation of the potential toxicological effects of anthropogenic disturbances on fish populations in Maine and the Northeast U.S.

Starting Date : 10/01/2004

Completion Date : 09/30/2008

Principal Investigator(s) : Elskus, Adria A.

Primary PI : Elskus, Adria A.

Telephone Number : (207) 581-2579

Email Address : aelskus@usgs.gov

SIS Number :

Primary Program Element :

Second Program Element :

Status : Active

Abstract : BACKGROUND

Atlantic Salmon populations in the Northeastern U.S. have been in slow decline for at least 150 years (NRC 2004), with the rate of decline in Maine dramatically increasing in the last 15 years (Terry Haines, USGS; John Kocik, NOAA/NMFS, pers comm). Despite environmental improvements, fishing bans, and other conservation measures, the population continues to plummet, leading to the complete loss of salmon in all New England states except for 8 rivers in Maine where Atlantic salmon were listed an endangered population segment (DPS) in 2000 (NRC 2004). Intensive efforts to restore these populations are being made by NOAA/NMFS, the Atlantic Salmon Commission, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Despite efforts to maintain Maine populations by stocking Maine salmon rivers with hatchery-reared smolts, adult returns have been well-below the estimated carrying capacities of these rivers, and continue to decline each year (John Kocik, pers comm). It is likely that numerous factors contribute to these diminishing returns, including blockage of fish passage to upstream spawning grounds and toxicants in the waters of DPS rivers. Current plans to address some of these issues include purchase and removal of two dams in the Penobscot River and buffering DPS rivers to neutralize episodic acid events.

Another major issue of concern in Maine is the presence of mercury, with a state-wide fish consumption advisory in effect for this metal in Maine. Mercury levels in fish in Acadia National Park lakes are particularly high, apparently due to air deposition from remote, out-of-state sources (Maniero and Breen 2004). Acadia NPS personnel identified data on the biological effects of mercury in park ecosystems as one of their major needs. They are also interested in the potential effects that exposure to multiple stressors may be having on park wildlife. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are also found in park wildlife (Maniero and Breen 2004). Like mercury, PCBs are both developmental toxicants and neurotoxins. Maine fish are co-exposed to both contaminants in some systems (SWAT 2001-2), such as the Penobscot River and areas in Acadia National Park. The biological effects of co-exposure to PCBs and methylmercury may help explain reproductive failure and behavioral effects that, to date, have not been explained by body burdens of either chemical alone (Maniero and Breen 2004).

OBJECTIVES

1. Identify contaminant distributions of concern to partners, conduct a thorough review of toxicological literature pertaining to Maine-related fish research, and identify baseline needs (e.g. knowledge gaps) to determine where more information is needed.

2. Evaluate the utility of a new, non-lethal gill bioassay for detecting pollutant exposure in Atlantic Salmon smolts.

3. Use a simple laboratory model to simulate resuspension and chemical desorption of Penobscot River sediments.

4. Quantify persistent organic contaminants desorbed from resuspended sediments.

5. Use model fish to evaluate lethality and early life stage effects of river water before and after sediment resuspension.

6. Use transgenic zebrafish to evaluate potential mechanisms underlying river water toxicity.

7. Develop recommendations for management of Penobscot River sediments prior to dam removal.

HYPOTHESES TO BE TESTED

#1. not applicable

#2:
o Gill CYP1A activity is a sensitive indicator of Atlantic Salmon smolt exposure to organic pollutants.

o Gill CYP1A activity is not affected by the physiological changes associated with transit from freshwater to saltwater.

o Removal of gill tissue sufficient for both CYP1A and Na/K ATPase bioassays is non-lethal to Atlantic salmon smolts.

#3-6:
o Resuspension of Penobscot River sediments will release significant concentrations of a suite of organochlorines, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and metals into the overlying water.

o Sediment resuspension adversely affects the health of early life stage fish by increasing water concentrations of soluble pollutants.

For More Information : http://www.umesci.maine.edu/biology/

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Branch :	Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory
Study Plan Number :	09064
Study Title :	An evaluation of the potential toxicological effects of anthropogenic disturbances on fish populations in Maine and the Northeast U.S.
Starting Date :	10/01/2004
Completion Date :	09/30/2008
Principal Investigator(s) :	Elskus, Adria A.
Primary PI :	Elskus, Adria A.
Telephone Number :	(207) 581-2579
Email Address :	aelskus@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	BACKGROUND Atlantic Salmon populations in the Northeastern U.S. have been in slow decline for at least 150 years (NRC 2004), with the rate of decline in Maine dramatically increasing in the last 15 years (Terry Haines, USGS; John Kocik, NOAA/NMFS, pers comm). Despite environmental improvements, fishing bans, and other conservation measures, the population continues to plummet, leading to the complete loss of salmon in all New England states except for 8 rivers in Maine where Atlantic salmon were listed an endangered population segment (DPS) in 2000 (NRC 2004). Intensive efforts to restore these populations are being made by NOAA/NMFS, the Atlantic Salmon Commission, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Despite efforts to maintain Maine populations by stocking Maine salmon rivers with hatchery-reared smolts, adult returns have been well-below the estimated carrying capacities of these rivers, and continue to decline each year (John Kocik, pers comm). It is likely that numerous factors contribute to these diminishing returns, including blockage of fish passage to upstream spawning grounds and toxicants in the waters of DPS rivers. Current plans to address some of these issues include purchase and removal of two dams in the Penobscot River and buffering DPS rivers to neutralize episodic acid events. Another major issue of concern in Maine is the presence of mercury, with a state-wide fish consumption advisory in effect for this metal in Maine. Mercury levels in fish in Acadia National Park lakes are particularly high, apparently due to air deposition from remote, out-of-state sources (Maniero and Breen 2004). Acadia NPS personnel identified data on the biological effects of mercury in park ecosystems as one of their major needs. They are also interested in the potential effects that exposure to multiple stressors may be having on park wildlife. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are also found in park wildlife (Maniero and Breen 2004). Like mercury, PCBs are both developmental toxicants and neurotoxins. Maine fish are co-exposed to both contaminants in some systems (SWAT 2001-2), such as the Penobscot River and areas in Acadia National Park. The biological effects of co-exposure to PCBs and methylmercury may help explain reproductive failure and behavioral effects that, to date, have not been explained by body burdens of either chemical alone (Maniero and Breen 2004). OBJECTIVES 1. Identify contaminant distributions of concern to partners, conduct a thorough review of toxicological literature pertaining to Maine-related fish research, and identify baseline needs (e.g. knowledge gaps) to determine where more information is needed. 2. Evaluate the utility of a new, non-lethal gill bioassay for detecting pollutant exposure in Atlantic Salmon smolts. 3. Use a simple laboratory model to simulate resuspension and chemical desorption of Penobscot River sediments. 4. Quantify persistent organic contaminants desorbed from resuspended sediments. 5. Use model fish to evaluate lethality and early life stage effects of river water before and after sediment resuspension. 6. Use transgenic zebrafish to evaluate potential mechanisms underlying river water toxicity. 7. Develop recommendations for management of Penobscot River sediments prior to dam removal. HYPOTHESES TO BE TESTED #1. not applicable #2: o Gill CYP1A activity is a sensitive indicator of Atlantic Salmon smolt exposure to organic pollutants. o Gill CYP1A activity is not affected by the physiological changes associated with transit from freshwater to saltwater. o Removal of gill tissue sufficient for both CYP1A and Na/K ATPase bioassays is non-lethal to Atlantic salmon smolts. #3-6: o Resuspension of Penobscot River sediments will release significant concentrations of a suite of organochlorines, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and metals into the overlying water. o Sediment resuspension adversely affects the health of early life stage fish by increasing water concentrations of soluble pollutants.
For More Information :	http://www.umesci.maine.edu/biology/
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility