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Field estimate of net trophic transfer efficiency of PCBs to Lake Michigan chinook salmon from their prey

Environmental Science & Technology
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1021/es0206036

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Abstract

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) has been the predominant piscivore in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Ontario since the 1970s, and therefore accurate quantification of its energy budget is needed for effective management of Great Lakes fisheries. A new approach of evaluating a fish bioenergetics model in the field involves field estimation of the efficiency with which the fish retains PCBs from its food. We used diet information, PCB determinations in both chinook salmon and their prey, and bioenergetics modeling to generate a field estimate of the efficiency with which Lake Michigan chinook salmon retain PCBs from their food. Our field estimate is the most reliable field estimate to date because (a) the estimate was based on a relatively high number (N = 142) of PCB determinations for chinook salmon from Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan in 1985, (b) a relatively long time series (1978−1988) of detailed observations on chinook salmon diet in Lake Michigan was available, and (c) the estimate incorporated new information from analyses of chinook salmon age and growth during the 1980s and 1990s in Lake Michigan. We estimated that chinook salmon from Lake Michigan retain 53% of the PCBs that are contained within their food.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Field estimate of net trophic transfer efficiency of PCBs to Lake Michigan chinook salmon from their prey
Series title Environmental Science & Technology
DOI 10.1021/es0206036
Volume 36
Issue 23
Year Published 2002
Language English
Publisher ACS Publications
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 5 p.
First page 5029
Last page 5033
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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