WIP1PM Case Studies of Restoration Projects
Wednesday, 16 November 2005: 1:50 PM - 5:30 PM in 349-350

(COL-1122-070730) Fish Habitat Use and Chemical Contaminant Exposure at Restoration Sites in Commencement Bay, Washington.

Johnson, L¹, Olson, O¹, Ylitalo, G¹, Rice, C¹, Collier, T¹, ¹ NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Conservation Division, Seattle, WA, USA

ABSTRACT- Commencement Bay, WA was the first Superfund site designated in marine waters of the United States. Under the NRDA process, several sites have been subject to restoration activities; of these, seven sites were sampled in 2002 and 2003 for fish assemblage composition, sediment chemistry, and tissue and stomach content residue analysis in selected species (Chinook, coho, pink and chum salmon, and Pacific staghorn sculpin). Sampling showed that all sites were being utilized by fish species, with differences in assemblage which largely reflected the different habitat types. Species richness as well as total number of fish captured increased from spring to maximum values in early summer. There was evidence of chemical contamination in fish and sediments from all sites. Sediments at all sites were contaminated by PAHs at concentrations above sediment cleanup goals, and DDTs were unexpectedly high at one site, with evidence of a relatively fresh source of DDT. Body burdens of PCBs in juvenile Chinook and chum salmon from two sites were at threshold concentrations associated with adverse effects in salmon. These results raise interesting questions regarding restoration of small sites in a larger Superfund site undergoing remedial activities.

Key words: restoration sites, Commencement Bay, WA, fish habitat