Studies of Contaminant and Water Quality Effects on Striped Bass Prolarvae and Yearlings in the Potomac River and Upper Chesapeake Bay in 1988

Abstract

Abstract Simultaneous on-site and in situ studies of survival of prolarval and yearling striped bass Morone saxatilis were conducted in the Potomac River during the 1988 spawning season. Various water quality and contaminant conditions were monitored during these experiments. In situ experiments on yearlings and monitoring of water quality and contaminants were also conducted in the Susquehanna, Elk, and Sassafras rivers of the upper Chesapeake Bay. Survival of striped bass prolarvae ranged from 1 to 20% in the Potomac River during three concurrent 96-h on-site and in situ experiments; survival of control fish was 78% or greater. Survival of striped bass yearlings was 15% or less during 28-d in situ tests at two Potomac River field locations; survival of control fish was 100%. Mortality of prolarvae in the Potomac River was likely caused by a combination of cadmium, lead, chlordane, and sudden drops in temperature. Mortality of yearlings was possibly caused by a combination of cadmium, lead, zinc, chlorda...