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Baseline aquatic contamination and endocrine status in a resident fish of Biscayne National Park

November 28, 2016

Surface water, sediment, and fish from Biscayne Bay, coastal wetlands adjacent to Biscayne Bay, and canals discharging into Biscayne Bay were sampled for determination of baseline contamination in Biscayne National Park. The number of contaminants detected in canal waters was greater during the wet season relative to the dry season, a relation not evident in Biscayne Bay or wetland waters. Estrogen equivalency (as 17β-estradiol equivalents), as predicted by the Yeast Estrogen Screen, for extracts of passive water samplers deployed in canals and wetlands was elevated during the wet relative to the dry season. Generally, contamination in water, sediments, and fish was greater in the canals than in Biscayne Bay and the wetlands. Contaminant concentrations in sediments exceeded threshold and probable effect levels for affects to benthic organisms most commonly in the canals. Further investigation is necessary to better understand the impact of contaminants in Biscayne National Park.

Publication Year 2016
Title Baseline aquatic contamination and endocrine status in a resident fish of Biscayne National Park
DOI 10.5066/F7N014PH
Authors Timothy A Bargar, Kevin R.T. Whelan, David Alvarez, Kathy R Echols
Product Type Data Release
Record Source USGS Digital Object Identifier Catalog
USGS Organization Wetland and Aquatic Research Center