Survey Of Sediment Quality, Contaminants In Fish Tissue, And Incidence Of Fish Disease In Four Non-Urban Bays Of Puget Sound

Abstract

Four non-urban bays of Puget Sound (Dyes Inlet, Gig Harbor, Port Angeles, and Oak Harbor) were surveyed to characterize contamination problems. These bays have not previously been extensively examined for contamination problems but have the potential for contamination from industry, marinas, sewage outfalls, and military bases. Sediment samples collected were analyzed for contaminants and bioassays conducted with amphipods. Flatfish collected were analyzed for contaminants, and 1 ivers of sole were examined for diseases or disorders. Some sediments contained elevated levels of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ag, Zn, PAH, PCB, and tributyltin. Only a few sediment samples exceeded the Puget Sound Apparent Effect Threshold (AET) sediment quality values for Hg, Ag, and PAH. None of the sediments tested by the amphipod bioassay indicated a toxic response. contained elevated levels of PCBs with the highest concentration found in English sole muscle tissue from Gig Harbor. Concentrations of PAH metabolites in bile indicated low to moderate exposure to petroleum and combustion hydrocarbons. The prevalence of idiopathic 1 iver disease (no apparent association with an infectious agent) was similar to other reference areas in Puget Sound. INTRODUCTION Some fish muscle and liver tissue In the spring of 1988, Battelle conducted a reconnaissance survey in four non-urban bays and nine other bays or shoreline areas of Puget Sound (Figure 1). The objective o f this survey was to characterize sediment quality, fish tissue chemistry, and fish disease to identify potential contamination problems in these areas. This survey focused on four bays (Dyes Inlet, Gig Harbor, Port Angeles Harbor, and Oak Harbor), which have not been examined extensively for contamination problems but which may be affected by contamination from local industry, marinas, sewage outfalls, and military bases. The major tasks that comprised this survey included the following: 0 Characterize sediment quality by contaminant levels and amphipod bioassays at six stations in each of the four non-urban bays. urban areas for 20 pesticides that are currently in use. 0 Analyze sediment samples from agricultural and 30' 15' 12800' 45' 12p30' lk' FIGURE 1. Fisheries Stations Sampled During this Survey Locations of 4 Non-Urban Bays and '11 0 Analyze tissues of flatfish collected from 13 areas for evidence of contaminants. 0 Characterize liver diseases or liver disorders in sole from Dyes Inlet, Gig Harbor, and the mouth of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. future analysis. 0 Archive benthic infaunal samples for potential This report presents the results of the surve:y and draws a comparison with results from similar investigations in other areas of Puget Sound.