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Concentration Trends for Lead and Calcium-Normalized Lead in Fish Fillets from the Big River, a Mining-Contaminated Stream in Southeastern Missouri USA

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Abstract

Lead (Pb) and calcium (Ca) concentrations were measured in fillet samples of longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) and redhorse suckers (Moxostoma spp.) collected in 2005–2012 from the Big River, which drains a historical mining area in southeastern Missouri and where a consumption advisory is in effect due to elevated Pb concentrations in fish. Lead tends to accumulated in Ca-rich tissues such as bone and scale. Concentrations of Pb in fish muscle are typically low, but can become elevated in fillets from Pb-contaminated sites depending in part on how much bone, scale, and skin is included in the sample. We used analysis-of-covariance to normalize Pb concentration to the geometric mean Ca concentration (415 ug/g wet weight, ww), which reduced variation between taxa, sites, and years, as was the number of samples that exceeded Missouri consumption advisory threshold (300 ng/g ww). Concentrations of Pb in 2005–2012 were lower than in the past, especially after Ca-normalization, but the consumption advisory is still warranted because concentrations were >300 ng/g ww in samples of both taxa from contaminated sites. For monitoring purposes, a simple linear regression model is proposed for estimating Ca-normalized Pb concentrations in fillets from Pb:Ca molar ratios as a way of reducing the effects of differing preparation methods on fillet Pb variation.

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Acknowledgments

This investigation was jointly supported by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The authors report no conflicts of interest, and appreciate the efforts of the MDC biologists who collected the samples (especially M. Reed and K. Meneau); T. May, W. Brumbaugh, M. Walther, and J. Arms (USGS) for analyzing the samples; J. Davis and J. Ross (San Francisco Estuary Institute) and S. Gao (MDC) for statistical advice; M. Struckhoff (USGS) for preparing the map and metadata; and J.E. Hinck (USGS) and J. Wenzel (MDHSS) for comments on an earlier version of the paper. All laboratory and field methods were consistent with recommendations for the humane treatment of animals in research (American Fisheries Society 2004) and all applicable guidelines for the care and use of animals. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Columbia Environmental Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 New Haven Rd., Columbia, MO, 65201, USA

    Christopher J. Schmitt

  2. Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center, Missouri Department of Conservation, 3500 E. Gans Rd., Columbia, MO, 65201, USA

    Michael J. McKee

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  1. Christopher J. Schmitt
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  2. Michael J. McKee
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Correspondence to Christopher J. Schmitt.

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Schmitt, C.J., McKee, M.J. Concentration Trends for Lead and Calcium-Normalized Lead in Fish Fillets from the Big River, a Mining-Contaminated Stream in Southeastern Missouri USA. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 97, 593–600 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1850-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1850-3

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