Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutant Concentrations in Select Freshwater Fish Species, Southwest Alaska Network Parks
Project ID: J8W07100027
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Oregon State University
Fiscal Year: 2010
Initial Funding: $46,530
Total Funding: $46,530
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Biological
National Park: Southwest Alaska Network Inventory & Monitoring
Principal Investigator: Simonich, Staci
Agreement Technical Representative: Shearer, Jeff
Abstract: The health and condition of freshwater fish in the Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN) parks is of vital importance for a variety of ecological, cultural, and economic reasons. Resident lake fish are a vital component of freshwater systems in southwest Alaska due to their integrative nature of reflecting system-level changes across trophic levels, and their importance to subsistence and recreational users. Contaminant persistence in the environment and bioaccumulation within fish tissue makes this issue one of both ecological and human health concern, especially given the heavy reliance of fisheries resources by rural subsistence users in and adjacent to SWAN parks. For this project, persistent organic pollutant (POP) analysis will be conducted to provide a baseline for long-term contaminant monitoring for fish tissue from select lakes in SWAN parks. The objectives of this project are to: 1) assess POP concentrations in slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) tissue samples from four lakes, and 2) synthesize the results with fish contaminant data from the Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project to provide a regional perspective on the contributions of atmospheric deposition to contaminant loads in Alaskan parks. Data from this project will be used in conjunction with total mercury and trace metal data provided by the State of Alaska to develop a baseline of contaminants levels in freshwater systems. Information regarding POP concentrations in fish tissue will likewise be conveyed to park resource managers, interpreters, visitors, and subsistence users to enhance their understanding of the factors that may contribute to contaminants in fish.
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