Arsenic concentrations in water and fish from Chautauqua Lake, New York

Arsenic persists in Chautauqua Lake, New York waters 13 years after cessation of herbicide (sodium arsenite) application and continues to cycle within the lake. Arsenic concentrations in lake water ranged from 22.4–114.81 μg l−1, = 49.0 μag l−1. Well water samples generally contained less than 10 μg l−1 arsenic. Arsenic concentrations in lake water exceeded U.S. Public Health Service recommended maximum concentrations (10 μg l−1) and many samples exceeded the maximum permissible limit (50 μg l−1). Fish accumulated arsenic from water but did not magnify it. Fish to water arsenic ratios ranged from 0.4–41.6. Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) contained the highest arsenic concentrations (0.14–2.04 μg g−1 ), X = 0.7 μg g−1) while perch (Perca flavescens), muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) contained the lowest concentrations (0.02–0.13 μg g−1). Arsenic concentrations in fish do not appear to pose a health hazard for human consumers.