Columbia Environmental Research Center

Contaminant Assessment of Distinct Population Segment Atlantic Salmon Rivers in Maine
Funding Program: Contaminant Biology

Statement of Problem: In 1999 under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were listed as an endangered species in 8 Maine rivers - the Dennys River, East Machias River, Machias River, Pleasant River, Narraguagus River, Cove Brook, Ducktrap River, and Sheepscot River. These rivers were classified as a Distinct Population Segment for Atlantic salmon. For decades, Atlantic salmon have been declining in Maine and Canadian Maritimes rivers and no single cause has been identified. In a review of water quality issues potentially affecting Atlantic salmon in Maine, it was apparent that, except for the Dennys River, the East Machias River, and Penobscot River, fish tissue contaminant data was lacking in 5 Distinct Population Segment (DPS) rivers. Atlantic salmon are exposed to a number of contaminants in the DPS rivers through consumption of contaminant prey or respiration. A number of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides) are applied to commercial low bush blueberry fields, especially in Hancock and Washington counties. Organochlorines, other endocrine disrupting chemicals, or trace metals may affect fish behavior, life stage development and reproduction, and survival. Atlantic salmon are an endangered species, making it difficult to sample for analysis of contaminants. However, white suckers exist in all of Maine's DPS rivers. Suckers may be imperfect surrogates for Atlantic salmon, but they are extremely useful as stream-resident sentinels of contaminant exposure and effects. We will examine tissues of stream-resident white suckers in Maine's DPS Atlantic salmon rivers for trace metals and organochlorines, and examine blood plasma for biomarkers of xenoestrogen exposure. Information from this study will provide information on the potential impacts of environmental contaminants as limiting factors in salmon restoration.

Objectives: 
1. Measure trace metals and organochlorine contaminants in whole body composite samples of stream-resident fish in Maine salmon rivers.
2. Analyze blood plasma from stream-resident fish for biochemical factors indicative of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.
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