Trace metals in fish exposed to asbestos rich sediments

Abstract

Chrysotile asbestos fibers which contain high levels of Ni, Cr, Co, and Mn were introduced into the Sumas River by a landslide. The pH in the streamwater decreased with increasing distance from the landslide input source and in the process the trace metals in the asbestos rich sediments get leached. The findings from this study show that some of the trace metals such as Mn and Ni are elevated in several fish species. The Mn levels in fish muscle tissue and whole fish were found to be significantly higher than levels reported in the literature. Similarly Ni levels in whole fish were high. Threespine stickleback were found to have the highest Mn and Ni levels. Besides the elevated metal levels we have so far observed no other abnormalities in fishes of the system.