Studies of contaminant and water quality effects on striped bass prolarvae and yearlings in the Potomac River and upper Chesapeake Bay in 1988

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
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Abstract

Simultaneous on‐site and in situ studies of survival of prolarval and yearling striped bass Morone saxatilis were conducted in the Potomac River during the 1988 spawning season. Various water quality and contaminant conditions were monitored during these experiments. In situ experiments on yearlings and monitoring of water quality and contaminants were also conducted in the Susquehanna, Elk, and Sassafras rivers of the upper Chesapeake Bay. Survival of striped bass prolarvae ranged from 1 to 20% in the Potomac River during three concurrent 96‐h on‐site and in situ experiments; survival of control fish was 78% or greater. Survival of striped bass yearlings was 15% or less during 28‐d in situ tests at two Potomac River field locations; survival of control fish was 100%. Mortality of prolarvae in the Potomac River was likely caused by a combination of cadmium, lead, chlordane, and sudden drops in temperature. Mortality of yearlings was possibly caused by a combination of cadmium, lead, zinc, chlordane, and ammonia. Survivals of striped bass yearlings tested in 28‐d tests in the Susquehanna, Elk, and Sassafras rivers were 57, 100, and 100%, respectively; survival of control fish was 100%. Mortality of striped bass in the Susquehanna River may have been partly caused by copper and lead concentrations; however, other nonidentified factors were likely more important. Water quality problems were not detected in the Elk or Sassafras rivers.

Suggested Citation

Hall, L.W., Ziegenfuss, M., Bushong, S.J., Unger, M., and Herman, R.L., 1989, Studies of contaminant and water quality effects on striped bass prolarvae and yearlings in the Potomac River and upper Chesapeake Bay in 1988: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 118, no. 6, p. 619-629, https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(1989)118<0619:SOCAWQ>2.3.CO;2.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Studies of contaminant and water quality effects on striped bass prolarvae and yearlings in the Potomac River and upper Chesapeake Bay in 1988
Series title Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
DOI 10.1577/1548-8659(1989)118<0619:SOCAWQ>2.3.CO;2
Volume 118
Issue 6
Year Published 1989
Language English
Publisher American Fisheries Society
Contributing office(s) Leetown Science Center
Description 11 p.
First page 619
Last page 629
Country United States
State Maryland
Other Geospatial Chesapeake Bay
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