Scientific Investigation Report 2006-5140

Chemical and Ecological Health of White Sucker (Catostomus Commersoni) in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C., 2003-04

By Cherie V. Miller (U.S. Geological Survey, Baltimore, MD) , Holly S. Weyers (U.S. Geological Survey, Baltimore, MD), Vicki S. Blazer (U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Kearneysville, WV), and Mary E. Freeman (U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA)

Abstract

Several classes of chemicals that are known or suspected contaminants were found in bed sediment in Rock Creek, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalate esters, organochlorine pesticides, dioxins and furans, trace metals and metalloids (mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, silver, and zinc), and polychlorinated biphenyls (total PCBs and selected aroclors). Concentrations of many of these chemicals consistently exceeded threshold or chronic-effects guidelines for the protection of aquatic life and often exceeded probable effects levels (PELs).

Excedance of PELs was dependent on the amount of total organic carbon in the sediments. Concurrent with the collection of sediment-quality data, white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) were evaluated for gross-external and internal-organ anomalies, whole-body burdens of chemical contaminants, and gut contents to determine prey. The histopathology of internal tissues of white sucker was compared to contaminant levels in fish tissue and bed sediment. Gut contents were examined to determine preferential prey and thus potential pathways for the bioaccumulation of chemicals from bed sediments. Male and female fish were tested separately. Lesions and other necroses were observed in all fish collected during both years of sample collection, indicating that fish in Rock Creek have experienced some form of environmental stress. No direct cause and effect was determined for chemical exposure and compromised fish health, but a substantial weight of evidence indicates that white sucker, which are bottom-feeding fish and low-order consumers in Rock Creek, are experiencing some reduction in vitality, possibly due to immunosuppression. Abnormalities observed in gonads of both sexes of white sucker and observations of abnormal behavior during spawning indicated some interruption in reproductive success.

Contents

• Abstract
• Introduction
  • Previous Investigations
  • Description of Study Area
  • Ecology of White Sucker in Rock Creek
• Methods of Investigation
  • Collection of Field Data
  • Chemical Analyses of Bed Sediment and Fish Tissue
  • Quality Assurance for Chemical Analyses
  • Histopathology of Fish
  • Gut Analysis for Diet of White Sucker
  • Calculation of Biota-Sediment Accumulation and Toxic Equivalency Factors
• Evaluation of Bed Sediment and Fish
  • Chemical Analyses of Bed Sediment and Fish Tissue
  • Gross Fish Health Assessment
  • Analyses of Fish Gut
• Ecological Health in Riverine Faunal Communities
• Summary
• Acknowledgments
• References Cited
• Appendixes A-B:
  • A1. Results of analyses for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalate esters in bed sediment (dry weight) and fish tissue (wet weight) collected in 2003 and 2004 at U.S. Geological Survey station 01648016, Rock Creek at Peirce Mill, Washington, D.C.
    
    
  • A2. Results of analyses for organochlorine pesticides in bed sediment (dry weight) and fish tissue (wet weight) collected in 2003 and 2004 at U.S. Geological Survey station 01648016, Rock Creek at Peirce Mill, Washington, D.C.
    
    
  • A3. Results of analyses for aroclors in bed sediment (dry weight) and fish tissue (wet weight) collected in 2003 and 2004 at U.S. Geological Survey station 01648016, Rock Creek at Peirce Mill, Washington, D.C.
    
    
  • A4. Results of analyses for dioxin and furan compounds in bed sediment (dry weight) and fish tissue (wet weight) collected in 2003 and 2004 at U.S. Geological Survey station 01648016, Rock Creek at Peirce Mill, Washington, D.C.
    
    
  • A5. Results of analyses for total metals and metaloids in bed sediment (dry weight) and fish tissue (wet weight) collected in 2003 and 2004 at U.S. Geological Survey station 01648016, Rock Creek at Peirce Mill, Washington, D.C.
    
    
  • B1. Sediment-quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life and human health
    
    
  • B2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration action and guidance levels for chemical contaminants in seafood
    
    

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