MERCURY, ARSENIC, LEAD, CADMIUM, AND SELENIUM RESIDUES IN FISH, 1971-73 - NATIONAL PESTICIDE MONITORING PROGRAM

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (1) , 5-34
Abstract
As part of the National Pesticide Monitoring Program, the Fish and Wildlife Service, USA Department of Interior, analyzed selected fish [Moxostoma, Tilapia mossambica, Limia vittata, clarias fuscus] samples from 100 monitoring stations for residues of Hg, As, Pb, Cd or Se in 1971-73. At most stations, detectable residues of all metals were present in more than 95% of the composite samples. Fish with Hg residues exceeding 0.5 mg/kg wet wt in the whole fish were mainly predators. Fish with residues of As, Pb, Cd and Se exceeding 0.5 mg/kg included predatory and nonpredatory species. The number of composite samples in which residues of these elements exceeded 0.5 mg/kg decreased from 1971 to 1973; the percentage of samples with detectable residues increased slightly. Only selected samples were analyzed in 1973; these figures should be used only cautiously as trend data. Species of fish collected varied considerably between geographic regions, but were similar from year to year within each region.

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