Detailed project information for Study Plan Number 01106

Branch :	Fish Health Branch
Study Plan Number :	01106
Study Title :	Fish Health and Reproductive Studies at Lake Erie Areas of Concern
Starting Date :	10/01/2002
Completion Date :	09/30/2008
Principal Investigator(s) :	Blazer, Vicki S. & Baumann, Paul C.
Primary PI :	Blazer, Vicki S.
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4434
Email Address :	vicki_blazer@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :	Contaminants
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	BACKGROUND Impacts from environmental contaminants to natural resources in Lake Erie have been addressed through research and management efforts by several local, state, and federal agencies. Environmental contaminants, particularly polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are suspected as a causal factor of liver tumors in fish populations from certain Lake Erie industrialized areas. Contaminated sediments are present in all of the Great Lakes Areas of Concern and occur in all areas where liver tumors have been verified in the brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus). Through the Lake Erie Ecological Investigations (Study Plan 01066-09), conducted at 9 sites around Lake Erie (1998-2000), fish and invertebrate community assessments at contaminated and relatively clean sites indicate that, even though densities were similar in contaminated versus relatively clean sites, the diversity and species composition of both fish and invertebrates was different at the areas with contaminated sediments. In addition, there were site differences for the fish health biomarkers, including liver neoplasms. Within the last ten years significant changes have occurred at several harbors, tributaries, and Areas of Concern (AOC) on Lake Erie, including dredging of contaminated sediments, diversion of industrial effluents, shoreline cleanup, the invasion of non-indigenous species, and the natural process of sedimentation. While several agencies have conducted investigations to identify biological resource problems and associated contaminated sediments, only a few studies have identified changes in the contaminant levels or impacts to the fish populations. In some areas, such as Presque Isle Bay, improvements from dredging of in-place sediments, diversion of effluents, and shoreline clean-up have occurred and there is interest in de-listing the site as an AOC. Other areas, such as Ashtabula Harbor have determined that cleanup through the federal CERCLA process would be advantageous to expedite remediation efforts to benefit the aquatic resources. OBJECTIVES The primary objective is to assess the health of selected fish species (brown bullhead and largemouth bass) and compare these findings with historic information on fish health in the individual rivers and with concurrent samples collected at reference sites. A secondary objective is to compare and correlate the fish health findings with concurrent samples taken by cooperators such as fish and benthic invertebrate community assessments, fish tissue and sediment contaminant levels. HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED The health of fish populations in selected Areas of Concern around Lake Erie is improving.
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