The Effects of Boating upon Lead Concentrations in Fish

Abstract

The concentration of lead in fish muscle tissue from lakes where boating is heavy and where it is prohibited was measured. The lead levels ranged from less than 0.05 to 1.35 ppm but did not differ significantly between those in the controlled and noncontrolled boating lakes. Lead levels apparently pose no public health hazard. Trans. Kans. Acad. Sci., Vol. 79 (3-4), 1976. In recent years, studies have revealed that lead concentrations are increasing in our environment. This increase can be attributed to the combustion of leaded gasoline (Page and Panje, 1970). Investigators have demonstrated significant correlations between motor vehicle traffic density and the amount of lead associated with soils (Page and Panje, 1970; Satterlee et aI., 1975) and plants (Schuck and Locke, 1970; Lagerwerff and Specht, 1970). It was hypothesized that heavy motor boating traffic might contribute significantly to lead concentrations in the aquatic environment. Lead in the aquatic environment from exhaust wastes is most likely to occur in relatively insoluble forms as in soil (Daines et aI., 1970). Sedimentallead may be assimulated by plants and certain invertebrates. If biomagnification does occur, fish tissues would be expected to contain lead. Lead is known to be toxic, cumulative and deposited in bone tissue (Bowen, 1966). Immediate concern was over excessive amounts of lead occuring in edible portions of fish. English et al. (1963a and 1963b) and Su rber (1971) examined the tainting of the taste of fish due to outboard motor exhaust wastes. Lead in fish tissue was not determined at that time, but palatability was deleteriously affected. Several lakes in the eastern part of Nebraska are subject to heavy recreational use by both fishermen and water skiers. A study to determine lead levels in tissues of selected species of fish was therefore initiated. The purpose was to determine if fish from lakes receiving heavy motor boating pressure might constitute a health hazard. Fish samples were taken from three lakes which received considerable boating pressure (Connestoga and Pawnee near Lincoln and Victory Lake at Fremont State Recreational Area). Two control lakes were chosen from the same areas: Yankee Hill near Lincoln and Lake #2 at Fremont. Victory Lake and Fremont Lake #2 are sandpit type lakes;