Fish in aquatic systems can be exposed to and accumulate toxic chemical pollutants, causing disease, and posing a threat to humans who consume them. The indicators for this Vital Sign track a few important pollutants in Puget Sound and are considered signs and symptoms of fish health related to exposure to these pollutants. The toxic chemicals pollutants tracked in Puget Sound fish include those that last for a long time in the ecosystem and which increase in predators as the chemicals move through food webs. Measuring these pollutants in fish tissues tells us whether current levels are harmful to the fish or the predators that consume them and whether they are safe for humans to eat.
The Toxics in Fish Vital Sign focuses on four classes of pollutants in several fish species and includes:
VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | PROGRESS | STATUS |
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VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | PROGRESS | STATUS |
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