Assessment of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds in Fish from High Elevation Lakes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Project ID: J8W07110031
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Oregon State University
Fiscal Year: 2011
Initial Funding: $38,070
Total Funding: $38,070
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Biological
National Park: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
Principal Investigator: Simonich, Staci
Agreement Technical Representative: Esperanza, Annie
Abstract: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) was one of the eight primary parks intensively sampled as part of the Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project (WACAP). Two SEKI lakes (Emerald and Pear) were sampled for a suite of semi-volatile organic compounds (SOC) resulting in some of the highest SOC levels measured in fish, within the eight study parks. Lake average dieldrin and individual fish p,p’-DDE concentrations in both lakes exceeded contaminant health thresholds for subsistence fishers; the dieldrin concentration in one fish exceeded the threshold for recreational fishers. In addition, at least one fish from each lake exceeded the thresholds for mercury and DDT for piscivores. The two lakes sampled in the WACAP project are located in the greater Kaweah watershed. SEKI contains the headwaters for three main watersheds, the Kaweah, Kings, and Kern Rivers. In 2009, fish were sampled from the Kings (Bench Lake) and Kern (Kern Pt. Lake) watersheds for intersex analysis. Gonad and spleen samples were removed and the remaining bodies of the fish were subsequently frozen for further analysis. The objective of this project is to better understand the spatial distribution of SOCs by analyzing the existing fish samples from the Kings and Kern watersheds. NPS will be involved in several ways, including assisting and collaborating with OSU to arrange for sampling fish according to the recommended sampling protocol, and then to be sent to OSU for analysis. There are several public benefits of this project. Project results will inform the public and NPS staff about the high elevation lakes in the Sierra Nevada. This is especially important for the health of sport fishers and staff who consume fish in these parks. As visitors to SEKI and possibly even park staff who consume park fish, this project will provide public knowledge regarding possible exceedances of contaminant health thresholds established for wildlife and/or humans. Given such possible direct effects upon humans as increased risk of cancer, the public will benefit from an understanding of the extent of contaminant loads in SEKI.
Deliverables: