Distinction between American Eels (Anguilla rostrata) of Different Geographic Origins on the Basis of Their Organochlorine Contaminant Levels

Abstract

This study presents evidence that organochlorine contaminant levels of fish tissues represent a valuable tool for stock discrimination. Variability of concentrations of 15 organochlorine contaminants allowed a discrimination among American eels (Anguilla rostrata) of unknown (captured during the migration down the St. Lawrence River) or known geographic origins. The study also exemplifies that information regarding environmental distribution of contaminants can be gained by comparing organic contaminant levels among groups of fish. Indeed we can infer from this study that mirex contaminated sediments have extensively (at least 400 km) drifted downstream from Lake Ontario in less than 19 yr.