Concentrations of heavy and trace metals in muscle and blood of juvenile Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) from the Suwannee River, Florida

Concentrations of arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, lead, selenium, and zinc in muscle of juvenile (0.41 to 1.1 kg) Gulf sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, from the Suwannee River, Florida, were 13.78, 1.50, 0.98, 25.28, 0.18, 0.49, 6.43, and 17.03 mu g/g dry weight, respectively. Concentrations of As (r = 0.51), B (r = 0.68), Ba (r = 0.72), Be (r = 0.73), Cd (r = 0.70), Cu (r = 0.56), Mg (r = 0.50), and Ni (r = 0.65) increased in muscle tissue with an increase in length of juvenile Gulf sturgeon. Mean concentrations of As, Cr, and Mg (10.99, 1.38, and 1122 mu g/g, respectively) were higher in the muscle tissue than in blood (1.76, 0.96, and 677 mu g/g, respectively). However, blood samples contained significantly high concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn (1777, 4.16, 2.68, 2.37 and 35.3 mu g/g, respectively). Juvenile Gulf sturgeon are accumulating heavy and trace metals while in the Suwannee River before migrating to marine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to identifying contaminants of concern, these data represent background conditions and may have future value in assessing the impact on sturgeon of spills or operational practices affecting water quality in the Suwannee River.