Organochlorine and Other Environmental Contaminants in Muscle Tissues of Sportfish Collected from San Francisco Bay

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 34; no. 12; p. 1058
• Main Authors: Fairey, Russell, Taberski, Karen, Lamerdin, Stewart, Johnson, Eric, Clark, Ross P, Downing, James W, Newman, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-12-1997
• ISSN: 0025-326X

White croaker, walleye, shiner surfperch, jacksmelt, leopard shark, striped bass, white sturgeon, and halibut, which are often caught by anglers in San Francisco Bay, CA, were analyzed for the presence of organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, trace elements, and dioxins/furans in muscle tissue. The extensive concentration data are tabulated. The chemicals of concern for the consumption of fish from the bay were found to be PCBs, mercury, dieldrin, total chlordanes, total DDT, and dioxins/furans. Fish with greater muscle tissue lipid content, such as croaker and shiner surfperch, exhibited more elevated levels of organic contaminant levels, with the exception of methylmercury. Mercury levels were highest in the shark species and, along with white croaker, exhibited increasing Hg concentration with increasing fish size.