Are Tumors in Wild Fish Harvested in the Great Lakes Region Related to Contaminants in Water Resources? Active
A body surface tumor diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma
white sucker (Catostomus commersonii)
A USGS scientist collecting a liver tissue sample from a white sucker
(Catostomus commersonii) from a river in the Great Lakes area
Our specialized teams of scientists are working in our laboratories and at field sites around the Great Lakes in collaboration with other federal and state resource agencies to document the prevalence of skin and liver tumors in fish. Tumor prevalence in white suckers (Catostomus commersonii), a fish harvested as a food source by local communities, is related to the degree of urbanization in the watershed.
A previously uncharacterized strain of hepatitis B virus in fish is prevalent in these white suckers. This virus is known to be associated with liver disease and tumors in other species.
Fish health is monitored in the Great Lakes region and elsewhere across the United States to evaluate if there are adverse effects of contaminant exposures on fish or the people who eat them.
Questions We're Working On:Do exposures to specific contaminants or contaminant mixtures affect the immune systems of fish, making them more vulnerable to disease?What are the sources of contaminants that make fish more vulnerable to disease?Does the presence of tumors in white suckers indicate a potential threat to the fisheries or the public?
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Fishing and Hunting Integrated Science Team
- Overview
Our specialized teams of scientists are working in our laboratories and at field sites around the Great Lakes in collaboration with other federal and state resource agencies to document the prevalence of skin and liver tumors in fish. Tumor prevalence in white suckers (Catostomus commersonii), a fish harvested as a food source by local communities, is related to the degree of urbanization in the watershed.
A previously uncharacterized strain of hepatitis B virus in fish is prevalent in these white suckers. This virus is known to be associated with liver disease and tumors in other species.
Fish health is monitored in the Great Lakes region and elsewhere across the United States to evaluate if there are adverse effects of contaminant exposures on fish or the people who eat them.
Questions We're Working On:Do exposures to specific contaminants or contaminant mixtures affect the immune systems of fish, making them more vulnerable to disease?What are the sources of contaminants that make fish more vulnerable to disease?Does the presence of tumors in white suckers indicate a potential threat to the fisheries or the public?
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsA lip tumor diagnosed as a papilloma on a white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) collected from the Milwaukee River. A lip tumor diagnosed as a papilloma on a white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) collected from the Milwaukee River. (Credit: Vicki S. Blazer, USGS, and Brenda Ferris, University of Wisconsin. Public Domain.) - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Fishing and Hunting Integrated Science Team
The Fishing and Hunting integrated science team focuses on contaminant and pathogen exposures in the environment that could impact the presence and vitality of fish and wildlife populations that drive commercial, recreational and subsistence activities such as hunting and fishing. If actual risks are identified this project will inform how to economically and effectively minimize risk by providing...