Juvenile Pacific staghorn sculpin were collected at locations throughout three Superfund sites on the Lower Duwamish River and at a reference location. Fish were collected for analysis of contaminant concentrations in composited whole bodies and stomach contents, as well as individual fish health metrics. Sediment contaminant concentrations were also measured at sites near to fishing locations. Sculpin growth rates were negatively correlated with concentrations of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in fish bodies, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in stomach contents, as well as PCBs, PAHs and DDTs in sediment.

This study is part of the Lower Duwamish River Natural Resource Damage Assessment, specifically the Injury Assessment Plan (2019). OR&R collaborated with the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center on the field and lab analysis. Other co-authors included experts from the University of Washington; Industrial Economics, Inc.; Kern Statistical Services, Inc.; and Ocean Associates, Inc. The study was recently presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Conference this month.