Implementation of a Non-lethal Biopsy Punch Monitoring Program for Mercury in Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepede, from the Eleven Point River, Missouri

Authors

• J. R. Ackerson, Missouri Department of Conservation, Ozark Regional Office
• M. J. McKee, Missouri Department of Conservation, Central Regional Office and Research Center
• C. J. Schmitt, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterFollow
• W. G. Brumbaugh, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2014

Citation

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol (2014) 92:125–131

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

A non-lethal biopsy method for monitoring mercury (Hg) concentrations in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu; smallmouth) from the Eleven Point River in southern Missouri USA was evaluated. A biopsy punch was used to remove a muscle tissue plug from the area immediately below the anterior dorsal fin of 31 smallmouth. An additional 35 smallmouth (controls) were held identically except that no tissue plug was removed. After sampling, all fish were held in a concrete hatchery raceway for 6 weeks. Mean survival at the end of the holding period was 97 % for both groups. Smallmouth length, weight and Fulton’s condition factor at the end of the holding period were also similar between plugged and non-plugged controls, indicating that the biopsy procedure had minimal impact on growth under these conditions. Tissue plug Hg concentrations were similar to smallmouth Hg data obtained in previous years by removing the entire fillet for analysis.