Author Description

A study of contaminants in fish by the Northern River Basins Study revealed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in fish tissues collected in northern Alberta watersheds. The study described in this report was undertaken to investigate the sources of fish tissue contamination observed during the former study. Specifically, investigators examined sediment contamination in the upper Wapiti-Smoky & Athabasca river basins to resolve whether spatial or temporal patterns in sediment PCB concentrations might identify the sources of the fish tissue contamination. Sediment sampling locations were selected based on the magnitude of the contamination observed and on potential sources of contamination such as pulp mills. Sampling, preparation, & analytical methods are described and results are presented & discussed with regard to associations between contaminant levels & potential sources.