Sep 22, 2014

The RMP has produced a synthesis report on PCBs that summarizes recent advances in understanding and makes recommendations for future studies. The report addresses nine priority management questions articulated by the RMP PCB Strategy Team.

The September 2014 issue of the San Francisco Estuary Partnership's Estuary News featured an article based on the report. The article, "Small Fish Test Helps Target PCB Clean Up" focuses on how RMP sampling of PCBs in small fish provides insight into the ecology and management of PCBs in the Bay. Small fish sampled at the edge of the Bay had PCB concentrations up to 10 times more than the most contaminated sport fish in the Bay. RMP Lead Scientist, Jay Davis, was interviewed for the article and explained that the results reveals that small fish on the margins are not part of the same food web as most of the larger sport fish in the Bay.

The most contaminated small fish were found in PCB hotspots such as Oakland Harbor and Richmond’s Stege Marsh. The link between PCB concentrations in sediment at contaminated sites and concentrations in small fish will help inform management strategies.

Associated Staff: 
Programs and Focus Areas: 
Bay Regional Monitoring Program
Clean Water Program