Associations of several externally visible lesions in finfishes with contaminated sediments in the lower Chesapeake Bay

Abstract Virginia's Elizabeth River, an industrialized tributary of the lower James River, is ideal for studies of effects of pollution. In some locations its sediments and associated waters are heavily contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), among other toxicants. Fishes were trawled from stations along the river during 1982–1984. Controls were from a ‘cleaner’ tributary nearby. Over 94,000 individuals of 49 species came from the Elizabeth while about 17,000 individuals of 20 species came from the Nansemond. Lesions were found among the Elizabeth River samples: none were found in the Nansemond's. Most heavily affected were the ocean-spawning Sciaenidae, Spot, Croaker and Weakfish. To learn whether lesions develop outside the Elizabeth River, a second series of fish samples was collected from stations extending from the Bay mouth into the Elizabeth and from the ‘clean’ York River. A total of 5154 individuals were involved. Of the externally visible lesions seen in both series eye abnormalities (mostly cataracts), fin erosion and dermal ulcerations were the most common. Comparisons of their prevalences by station show a clear positive relationship with PAH-contaminated sediments.