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News and Activities
Creek chub PCB Research Recently Published in the Journal of Fish Biology Date Posted: February 15, 2006 As part of the Bloomington, Indiana, Field Office's (BFO), continuing damage assessment efforts in the Bloomington Westinghouse PCBs case, several years ago the BFO initiated a comprehensive investigation of creek chubs (Semotilus atromaculatus). This species of fish was selected because it is common in many streams in Indiana that are highly contaminated with PCBs. The results of the chub study was published in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Fish Biology, published by the Fisheries Society of the British Isles. Changes in the ages and growth rates of the individuals who make up the chub population were documented in relation to ambient (surrounding) PCB concentrations. PCBs can adversely impact fish populations (visit the Service's Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) web site to learn more about this pollutant).In particular researchers observed poor recruitment(few young are maturing and entering the adult breeding population) in the most contaminated areas and the absence of older female age classes from the contaminated streams. Damage assessment and cost recovery negotiations are continuing. Reference: Age structure and growth of Semotilus atromaculatus(Mitchill) in PCB contaminated streams D. S. Henshel, D. W. Sparks, T. P. Simon, M. J. Tosick Journal of Fish Biology 2006 68:1 44
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