title: Tracking Metal Pollution in Lake Chapala: Concentrations in Water, Sediments, and Fish.
abstract: We measured concentrations of selected metals (Al, Ba, Cu, Mn, Hg, Sr, V, and Zn) in water, sediments, and fish from Lake Chapala and a reference site to evaluate potential negative effects on wildlife, particularly fish-eating birds. Fish metal concentrations ranged from 0.05 µg/g wet weight (ww) for Al and Cu to 64.70 µg/g ww for Sr. There was a positive and significant correlation between fish length and metals particularly for Ba, Cu, Mn, and Zn in Lake Chapala (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant correlations between metal concentrations and δ(15)N values in fish indicating no biomagnification through the food web. Overall, metal concentrations in water, sediments, and fish were similar to and in some cases below those reported for Lake Chapala over the last 20 years. Also, metal concentrations were below those that could be of concern for negative effects on fish and wildlife of Lake Chapala.
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2258, USA. zaria18@tamu.edu.
authors.forename: Zaria
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3793-773X
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2258, USA.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinario para el Desarrollo Integral y Regional, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, CP 59510, Jiquilpan, Michoacan, Mexico.
authors.forename: Dioselina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Bernal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D020387:Food Chain; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D008800:Mexico; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Fish; Lake Chapala; Metals; Sediment; Water