Microcystin accumulation in Sportfish from an agricultural reservoir differs among feeding guild, tissue type, and time of sampling.

Cyanobacterial blooms sometimes create secondary metabolites that can be transferred between trophic levels and accumulate in fish, but little is known about what time of year fish are most susceptible. Here, we examine microcystin in the muscle, liver, and kidney of bluegill and largemouth bass from an agricultural reservoir over 12 months. We identify which fish characteristics and water parameters best explain microcystin accumulation in fish tissues.

Mercury, selenium, and fatty acids in the axial muscle of largemouth bass: evaluating the influence of seasonal and sexual changes in fish condition and reproductive status.

Largemouth bass (LMB, 265-475 mm) were collected to document whether changes in fish condition and reproductive status influenced the concentration of total mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in axial muscle by season and sex. The fatty acid (FA) composition of fish was also examined to describe seasonal and sexual differences and identify whether arachidonic acid (ARA) could be used as a biomarker of Hg toxicity. There was a trend for females to have lower (p < 0.

Physical, Chemical, and Biological Factors that Contribute to the Variability of Mercury Concentrations in Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides from Missouri Reservoirs.

Large-bodied predatory sportfish from Missouri reservoirs can contain elevated methylmercury concentrations that are of concern to the health of consumers. The concentration of total mercury (tHg) in the muscle (which > 95% is in the methylated-Hg form) of harvestable-sized largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides; LMB) was examined to determine which factors contributed to the variability of tHg concentration in sportfish populations among Missouri reservoirs. Mean tHg concentrations in LMB from each reservoir were compared to physical and chemical characteristics of the reservoir and to biological attributes of each LMB population.