Quantifying Contaminants in Reef Fish
How are contaminants ending up in reef fish? Contaminants appear in coral reefs through runoff, sedimentation, submarine groundwater discharge, and other mechanisms. Once present, they build up in reef fish and other marine organisms, bioaccumulating or biomagnifying over time. This can lead to an increase of metals (such as lead, arsenic, or copper), pesticides, or other pollutants in seafood, which can pose risks to human consumers.
How do we get that information? To better understand the potential risks to humans consuming seafood, we can measure the concentrations of different contaminants in reef fish and nearshore coastal ecosystems. Our team has worked with partner agencies and organizations in Hawaiʻi and the Republic of the Marshall Islands to identify how contaminants may be accumulating in fish. Once we have measured the concentrations, we are able to compare them to known thresholds for human health to assess risk based on an individual’s weight, frequency of consumption, and meal size.
Why is this helpful? These studies provide important baseline information on contaminants in fish and other seafood, addressing a critical gap in public health knowledge in much of our region. In addition, this work offers insight into the movement of contaminants through coastal ecosystems and contributes to our overall understanding of the connectivity between water quality and fisheries, as well as reef health and resilience.
