Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Contaminants in fish from Great Lakes Harbors and Tributary mouths

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Composite fish samples collected from Great Lakes Harbors and Tributaries between 1980 and 1981 were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for a wide range of pesticides and priority pollutants. Severe polychlorobiphenyl (PCBs) contamination was observed in Sheboygan River fish with moderate to severe PCB contamination in samples from the Milwaukee, Kinnickinnic, Fox, and Ashtabula Rivers. The Ashtabula River samples also contained several chlorinated aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in fish from the Black, Kinnickinnic and Menominnee Rivers, while a number of benzene derivatives were observed in samples from the Fox and Wolf Rivers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baumann PC, Smith WD, Ribick M (1983) Hepatic tumor rates and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon levels in the two populations of brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus). In: Cooke MW, Dennis AJ, Fisher Gl (eds) Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Sixth International Symposium on Physical and Biological Chemistry. Battelle Press, Columbus, Ohio, pp 93–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark JR, DeVault D, Bowden RJ, Weishaar JA (1984) Contaminant analysis of fillets from Great Lakes coho salmon, 1980. J Great Lakes Res 10:38–47

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVault DS, Weishaar JA (1983) Contaminant analysis of 1981 fall run coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office, Chicago, Illinois, EPA 905-83-001 pp 16

    Google Scholar 

  • DOA (1980) Sheboygan Harbor, Wisconsin PCB investigations and results. Department of the Army, Chicago District, Corps of Engineers. Chicago, Illinois

    Google Scholar 

  • EPA (1979a) Standard operating procedure: Analysis of non-volatile extractable organic compounds: Sample extraction and screening by gas chromatography. Method 625. US Environmental Protection Agency. Federal Register 44:223

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1979b) Standard operating procedure: GC/MS/DS analysis of nonvolatile organic compounds. Method 625. US Environmental Protection Agency. Federal Register 44:223.

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1980) Ambient water quality criteria for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Regulations and Standards, Washington, DC, EPA 440/5-80-069, pp 180

    Google Scholar 

  • IJC (1978) Status report on the persistent toxic pollutants in the Lake Ontario Basin. International Joint Commission, Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, pp 178

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1983) Annual report of the aquatic ecosystem objectives committee. International Joint Commission, Great Lakes Science Advisory Board. Windsor, Ontario, Canada, pp 142

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuehl DW, Johnson KL, Butterworth BC, Leonard EN, Veith GD (1981) Quantification of octachlorostyrene and related compounds in Great Lakes fish by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Great Lakes Res 7:330–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Mieure JP, Hicks O, Kaley RG, Saeper VW (1975) Characterization of polychlorinated biphenyls. In: Ayer F (ed) Conference Proceedings, National Conference on Polychlorinated Biphenyls. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Toxic Substances, Washington, DC EPA 560/6-75-004, pp 84–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Picker JE, Yates JJ, Pereira WE (1979) Isolation and characterization of the herbicide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer—computer techniques. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 21:612–617

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sloan RJ, Simpson KW, Schroedar RA, Barnes CR (1983) Temporal trends toward stability of Hudson River PCB contamination. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 31:377–385

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • St. Amant JR, Pariso ME, Sheffy TB (1983) Final report on the toxic substances survey of Lakes Michigan, Superior, tributary streams. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, pp 31

    Google Scholar 

  • USPHS (1983) Third annual report on carcinogens. US Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service, Washington, DC NTP 82-330, 229 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Veith GD, Kuehl DW, Leonard EN, Welch K, Pratt G (1981) Fish wildlife and estuaries, polychlorinated biphenyls and other organic chemical residues in fish from major United States watersheds near the Great Lakes, 1978. Pest Monit J 15(1):1–6

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office, 536 South Clark Street, 60605, Chicago, Illinois

    David S. De Vault

Authors
  1. David S. De Vault
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

De Vault, D.S. Contaminants in fish from Great Lakes Harbors and Tributary mouths. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 14, 587–594 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055389

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055389

Keywords

Search

Navigation