New York Statewide Fish Collection: Contaminants in fish from the Buffalo River AOC

 

Fish for contaminant analysis will be collected from each of the four sample zones in the Buffalo River AOC during June, 2017 by the USGS and NYSDEC using electrofishing boats that apply pulsed direct current at a frequency of 60 Hz. The four zones include: (A) Buffalo City Ship Canal south of Michigan Street Bridge, (B) Buffalo River from Michigan Street bridge to Ohio Street, (C) Buffalo River from bend 1/4 mile east of Katherine St. to Babcock St., and (D) Buffalo River from Babcock Street to US Rt. 62 (Bailey Ave). At each zone, both boats will operate at the same time to obtain approximately 10 individuals from each of 4 species/groups for a total of 40 fish per zone. Targeted species/groups are: (1) common carp, (2) brown bullhead/channel catfish/yellow perch/pumpkinseed, (3) largemouth bass, and (4) bluntnose minnow. All fish will be identified and their lengths and weights will be recorded. Standard (NYSDEC) filets will be collected from all fish that are large enough to obtain filets that weigh at least 50 grams. Small individuals (e.g., minnow) will be pooled and moderate sized individuals (e.g., sunfish or perch) may have their head and viscera removed to obtain samples with a total weight of at least 50 g. Samples will weighed and frozen (and maintained) on dry ice, then transported to a freezer for short-term storage. All samples will be shipped to the laboratory, where tissues will be homogenized and individual aliquots prepared. Most samples will be analyzed for percent water, percent lipids, PCBs, pesticides, PAHs, mercury, lead, and cadmium. Electronic data will be returned to the USGS, uploaded into the National Water Information System (NWIS), undergo a validation and approval process, made available to the public, and summarized in a USGS Data Release Report or journal article.