Organochlorine Residues, Mercury, Copper and Cadmium in Yellow Perch, White Bass and Smallmouth Bass, Long Point Bay, Lake Erie

Abstract

Abstract Three collections of yellow perch, white bass and smallmouth bass were made in May, July and late October for analyses of DDT, PCB, mercury, copper and cadmium. Fat content varied seasonally among collections, lowest in spring and highest in fall. Total DDT residues were low for all species. Means ranged from 0.09 to 0.27 μg/g and exhibited no seasonal changes. No difference among species existed for DDT in spite of differing fat content, but concentrations within a species increased with increasing fat and subsequently age. PCB's were up to 6.5 times greater than DDT levels. PCB residues, lowest in yellow perch and highest in white bass, did not vary with season but increased with increasing fat. Dieldrin was low and no trends relating to season or fat were apparent. Only two specimens contained mercury residues above 0.5 μg/g. Mercury was apparently related to size and subsequently age. Copper was slightly higher in yellow perch, means ranged from 1.29 to 1.56 μg/g, but copper and cadmium were ...