Contaminant bioaccumulation dynamics in young-of-the-year bluefish subpopulations in New York Bight with a special reference to the condition and nursery area fidelity subsequent to recruitment

Abstract

Contaminant bioaccumulation dynamics was examined in young-of-the-year (YOY) bluefish subpopulations (Pomatomus saltatrix) in the New York Bight ecosystem, and the results were used to assess (i) effects of habitat quality in terms of levels of PCBs and pesticides on bluefish condition and (ii) fidelity of YOY bluefish to different subestuaries that served as the nurseries subsequent to recruitment during their first summer. Total PCBs and p,p′-DDE body burdens increased with fish length, but concentrations generally increased only poorly to moderately, which suggested steady-state contaminant uptake commensurate with aggressive feeding and dilution related to rapid growth characteristic of YOY bluefish within a subestuary. High condition factors paired with elevated contamination levels in bluefish from the Lower Hudson River, as compared with bluefish from Newark Bay with poor condition factors paired with elevated contamination levels, suggested that PCBs and pesticides alone may not determine condition in these fish. We found dissimilar patterns of prominent PCB congeners in bluefish from adjacent subestuaries (e.g., Newark Bay and Lower Hudson River) suggesting separate contaminant sources. Total PCB normalized fingerprints of PCB congeners permitted statistical discrimination among YOY bluefish specimens from various estuaries with a potential to differentiate subpopulations on scales to less than 20 km. This unexpected fidelity to nursery estuaries may have implications for the management strategies.