Cadmium and lead in Lake Ontario salmonids.

Abstract

Currently, there are data documenting the existence of cadmium and lead in Lake Ontario salmonids. Investigators recently reported the absence of detectable residues of either element in edible fillets of coho and chinook salmon from Michigan tributaries to the other four laurention Great Lakes. However, flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used and the reported detectability limit (10 ppm) was greater than the trace levels that may likely have been present. The present investigation was initiated to (1) establish the existence and magnitude of cadmium and lead content of Lake Ontario salmonids, and (2) to assess the potential impact of their consumption on human dietary cadmium and lead intake.