Chemical Residues in Representative Fish Species Surveyed from the North and South Platte River Systems in Keith and Lincoln Counties, Nebraska

Authors

Michael P. Gutzmer, Nebraska Public Power DistrictFollow
Dale G. Luce, Nebraska Public Power District

Date of this Version

1996

Document Type

Article

Comments

1996. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, 23: 59-64. Copyright © 1996 Gutzmer and Luce

Abstract

In 1993 and 1995 Nebraska Public Power District and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District sampled 18 and 16 sites in the North and South Platte river systems, respectively. Column- and bottom-feeding fish such as walleye, white bass, carp, and channel catfish were sampled and analyzed for the presence of total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total mercury, and a variety of pesticides. PCBs and total mercury exceeded EPA action levels in Lake Maloney and Sutherland Reservoir in both years. Lake McConaughy fish also exhibited PCBs in 1993 and elevated mercury levels in both years. Organochlorine pesticides and some of their derivatives showed up in all fish at all locations in 1995.