Habitat Partitioning and Contaminant Exposure in Cyprinids

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Abstract
Four species of forage fish from the Huron–Erie corridor — Labidesthes sicculus, a surface feeder; Notropis atherinoides, a facultative surface feeder; Notropis hudsonius, a facultative benthivore; and Pimephales notatus, a benthivore — were found to have significantly different levels of organochlorine contaminants with high 1-octanol/water partition coefficients (Kow). Chemical levels were greatest in P. notatus, reflecting its greater exposure to contaminated sediments. The interspecific differences observed indicate that habitat partitioning is a major factor regulating contaminant levels in these forage fish species. These interspecific differences in contaminant levels have important implications for fugacity models which would predict that these differences should not exist. Although chemical and physiological parameters may determine which contaminants have the potential to bioaccumulate, it is the regulation of exposure through ecological processes that will determine the degree to which that potential is realized.

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