Predicting chemical contaminants in freshwater sediments through the use of historical biochemical endpoints in resident fish species.

Previous studies in Bayou Bartholomew, Arkansas, USA, indicated significant relationships between the individual health of fish sampled from 13 sites and specific biochemical responses. Evaluation of several biochemical endpoints in 1994 indicated the bioavailable occurrence of either polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners or metals. To evaluate this possibility, in December 2000, sediments were collected at four sites on Bayou Bartholomew, where fish, collected in July 1994, had previously demonstrated the highest hepatic cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) and heme oxygenase (HO) expression.