Assessing striped bass scale metal accumulation as an indicator of Hudson River water quality

The accumulation of trace elements in aquatic environments has the potential to threaten fish populations and human health. Fish scales provide a nonlethal alternative that enables contamination assessment without sacrificing the fish. This study examined trace element concentrations in striped bass ( Morone saxatilis) using archived scales from the Hudson River Biological Monitoring Program as indicators of temporal trends in trace element contamination in fish and the environment of the Hudson River Estuary (HRE) from 1989 to 2017. A total of 23 trace elements were measured across 103 samples, with fish total lengths ranging from 150 to 845 mm and ages spanning 0–9 years. Fish body size was identified as a key factor influencing element bioaccumulation, revealing significant declines in several trace element concentrations over time. This study establishes a baseline time series of relative trace element contamination in the study area, suggesting potential improvements in regional water quality and demonstrating the utility of fish scales as indicators of environmental recovery and the effectiveness of long-term pollution control efforts in the lower HRE.