National Lake Fish Tissue Study

We are conducting a four-year national screening-level study of freshwater fish contamination as a priority activity under our Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) Chemical Initiative. It is the first national fish tissue survey to be based on a probabilistic (random) sampling design, and it will generate data on the largest set of PBT chemicals ever studied in fish. The statistical design of the study will allow us to develop national estimates of the mean concentrations of 268 chemicals in fish tissue from lakes and reservoirs of the lower 48 States.

We will use the study results to define the first national mean concentrations for the 268 chemicals in lake fish, to provide a national fish contamination baseline to track progress of pollution control activities, and to identify areas where contaminant levels are high enough to warrant further investigation.

Basic Information
Why is the study important? What is the objective of the study?
Fish Sampling
What are important elements of the sampling design?
Fish Tissue Analysis
What are important elements of the analysis activities?
2000-2003 Results
What data are available? What are some of the summary results?
Contacts
Who manages the study? Who are the study contacts in my region?
Related Links
What programs have information related to the study?

National Lake Fish Tissue Study

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