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Contaminants in fishes from Great Lakes-influenced sections and above dams of three Michigan rivers. I: Concentrations of organo chlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxin equivalents, and mercury

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Abstract

Fishes of the Great Lakes contain hazardous chemicals such as synthetic halogenated hydrocarbons and metals. These fish can move from the lakes into the Great Lakes tributaries of Michigan. In doing so, they transport concentrationsof contaminants which may represent a risk to wildlife. Concentrations of mercury (Hg), total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ), total DDT complex, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, hexachlorobenzene, cis-chlordane, oxychlordane, endosulfan-I, methoxychlor, trans-chlordane, and trans-nonachlor were determined in composite samples of fishes from above and below Michigan hydroelectric dams, which separate the fishes which have access to the Great Lakes from fishes that do not. Mean concentrations of total PCBs, TCDD-EQ, DDT, and most of the other pesticides were greater in composite samples of six species of fishes from below than above the dams on the Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon Rivers. Concentrations of mercury, were the same or greater above the dams than below. However, this difference was statistically significant only on the Au Sable. Mercury concentrations ranged from less than 0.05 mg/kg to 0.73 mg Hg/kg, ww. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 0.02 to 1.7 mg/kg, ww. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents varied among fishes and locations. The concentrations of TCDD-EQ ranged from 2.4 to 71 μg/kg, ww, with concentrations in carp being the greatest. Concentrations of TCDD-EQ were greater than the concentrations which would be expected to occur, due solely to the presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), and technical mixtures of PCBs.

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Author notes

  1. M. A. Mora

    Present address: National Biological Survey, Gulf Research Group, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Texas A&M University, 77843, College Station, TX

  2. P. D. Jones

    Present address: Wellington Science Center, ESR Environmental, Gracefield Road, P.O. Box 30547, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

  3. J. L. Newsted

    Present address: Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, University of Massachusetts, 01003, Amherst, MA

  4. S. N. Heaton & G. A. Dawson

    Present address: Surface Water Quality Division, Michigan Dept of Natural Resources, Knapp Center, P.O. Box 30028, 48904, Lansing, MI

  5. T. J. Kubiak

    Present address: Division of Environmental Contaminants, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, #330, 22203, Arlington, VA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Fisheries and Wildlife, Pesticide Research Center and Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University, 48824-1222, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    J. P. Giesy, D. A. Verbrugge, R. A. Othout, W. W. Bowerman, M. A. Mora, P. D. Jones, J. L. Newsted & C. Vandervoort

  2. Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 48824-1222, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    S. N. Heaton, R. J. Aulerich & S. J. Bursian

  3. SERE Group Ltd., 1670 Garnet Road, V8P 3C8, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

    J. P. Ludwig & M. Ludwig

  4. Environmental Department, Consumers Power Company, 1945 West Pernall Road, 49201, Jackson, Michigan, USA

    G. A. Dawson

  5. East Lansing Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1405 South Harrison Road, 48823, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    T. J. Kubiak & D. A. Best

  6. National Biological Survey, National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, 65201, Columbia, Missouri, USA

    D. E. Tillitt

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  1. J. P. Giesy
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  2. D. A. Verbrugge
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  3. R. A. Othout
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  4. W. W. Bowerman
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  5. M. A. Mora
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  6. P. D. Jones
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  7. J. L. Newsted
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  8. C. Vandervoort
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  9. S. N. Heaton
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  10. R. J. Aulerich
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  11. S. J. Bursian
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  12. J. P. Ludwig
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  13. M. Ludwig
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  16. D. A. Best
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  17. D. E. Tillitt
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Giesy, J.P., Verbrugge, D.A., Othout, R.A. et al. Contaminants in fishes from Great Lakes-influenced sections and above dams of three Michigan rivers. I: Concentrations of organo chlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxin equivalents, and mercury. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 27, 202–212 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214264

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