Juvenile chinook salmon in the Fraser River estuary have been found to contain a variety of chemicals, including pharmaceuticals and flame retardants, as discovered by researchers. Samples collected from hundreds of fish over a two-year period revealed over 80 contaminants present in the salmon tissue, with the primary sources believed to be industrial and wastewater sites upstream. The team also analyzed water samples from the salmon habitat and identified 130 contaminants.
The research team expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of these chemicals on the growth, behavior, and overall health of the chinook salmon population. David Scott, the lower Fraser research and restoration director at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation (RCF), highlighted the significant presence of pollutants ranging from pharmaceuticals and personal care products to pesticides and flame retardants in the fish.
The study focused on monitoring the Harrison River chinook stock in the Fraser River estuary, examining their tissue and habitat at various locations. According to the findings, 16 of the identified chemicals were classified as “priority” contaminants with adverse effects potential, including organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Notably, the flame retardant PBDE-penta-total was detected in salmon tissue samples, while other priority contaminants like cocaine and pesticides were found in water samples from the habitat.
Additionally, eight “watchlist” chemicals posing elevated biological risks were found in the salmon tissue samples, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other organic chemicals. The study, primarily funded by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and conducted in collaboration with the RCF and Simon Fraser University, emphasized the need for continued monitoring and assessment of the chemicals affecting the fish.
Tanya Brown, a study co-author and assistant professor at Simon Fraser University, highlighted the potential exposure of fish to more unexamined chemicals beyond the research’s scope, stressing the concerning combination of various chemical exposures. The study’s implications extend to Puget Sound in Washington state, where similar research has tracked contaminants in fish habitats for over three decades, indicating potential inhibitory effects on chinook growth. Researchers emphasized the importance of managing these chemicals to protect marine life and human health, suggesting individual actions like proper pharmaceutical disposal as a step towards mitigation.
