Metals in Fish Scales Collected in Lake Opeongo, Canada, from 1939 to 1979

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Abstract
Time series (1939–1979) of metal concentrations in historical collections of scales from lake trout Salvelinus namaycush and smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui from Lake Opeongo, Canada, were compared with temporal trends in metal concentration profiles in core samples of profundal lake sediment. There was no trend for Zn in scales. Elevated Cu and Hg concentrations occurred early in the study period in both species. Elevated Cd was found in the earliest year in smallmouth bass scales. Temporal trends in Hg (and possibly Cd) in smallmouth bass scales probably were attributable to differences in fish weight among years. The data did not support the hypothesis that temporal trends in metal loadings entering lakes are reflected by fish tissue concentrations.