Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Department
Wildlife and Fisheries Resources
Committee Chair
Patricia M. Mazik.
Abstract
The risk based sport fish consumption advisory protocol, West Virginia Sport Fish Consumption Advisory Guide (the Guide), was drafted for the state. Fish were collected from ten West Virginia sites (5 previously identified as contaminated, 5 previously identified as uncontaminated). Fish samples were collected, processed and analyzed for total mercury concentration and Aroclors (PCBs). Recommended meal frequencies were calculated from contaminant levels and based on the Guide. Mean fillet sample contaminant levels were compared to composite sample levels and found to require the same level or in one case a more protective of consumption advisory. Ten composite samples had Aroclor concentrations greater than the screening values used to trigger a fish consumption advisory according to Guide. All samples from the ten sites had mercury levels above the Guide screening levels. West Virginia should consider implementing consumption advisories for the sites with samples exceeding screening values and conduct further study to determine the extent of contamination in all the state's watersheds.
Recommended Citation
Warnick, William Alvin, "Sport fish consumption advisory for West Virginia" (2002). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 1563.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1563