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#           Organohalogenated contaminants in multiple life stages of the Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), Oregon, USA      

      August 18, 2023    

Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) are ecologically and culturally important anadromous animals native to the West Coast of the United States. Pacific lamprey populations are in decline, and contaminants may be a contributing factor. Between 2017 and 2021, three life stages of Pacific lamprey and collocated sediment samples were collected in Oregon (larval lamprey, sediment, and returning adult lamprey) and off the coast of Oregon and Washington (ocean juvenile lamprey). Tissue and sediment samples were analyzed for 56 organohalogenated compounds that included legacy pesticides, current use pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners, and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners. Organohalogenated compounds were detected in all three Pacific lamprey life stages. The organohalogenated compounds detected in collocated sediment and larval lamprey samples were generally dissimilar, and compounds detected in larval lamprey indicate potential point sources along the rivers. Ocean-caught juvenile lamprey had significantly higher lipid contents than returning adult lamprey, but lipid content and concentrations of select compounds were not strongly correlated. Concentrations of select compounds detected in both ocean juvenile and returning adult lamprey were either not significantly different or were higher in returning adult lamprey. Concentrations of some compounds in returning adult lamprey—which are consumed by Indigenous peoples—exceeded state and national human health consumption thresholds. Collaboration among Tribes and public-sector agencies helped make this study successful.

## Citation Information

## Related Content

                  -              Data           
                  -              Connect           

June 2, 2023

####                 Contaminants in larval, juvenile, and adult Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), Oregon, 2017-2021              

Oregon Water Science Center

#### Casie Smith

##### Ecologist

Oregon Water Science Center

cassandrasmith@usgs.gov

541-383-5589

#### Sean Payne

##### Hydrologist

Oregon Water Science Center

spayne@usgs.gov

####             Jennifer Morace (Former Employee)          

##### Hydrologist

Oregon Water Science Center

#### Elena Nilsen

##### Research Chemist, Team Lead

Oregon Water Science Center

enilsen@usgs.gov

## Related Content

June 2, 2023

####                 Contaminants in larval, juvenile, and adult Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), Oregon, 2017-2021              

Oregon Water Science Center

#### Casie Smith

##### Ecologist

Oregon Water Science Center

cassandrasmith@usgs.gov

541-383-5589

#### Sean Payne

##### Hydrologist

Oregon Water Science Center

spayne@usgs.gov

####             Jennifer Morace (Former Employee)          

##### Hydrologist

Oregon Water Science Center

#### Elena Nilsen

##### Research Chemist, Team Lead

Oregon Water Science Center

enilsen@usgs.gov

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### Contact

####               Oregon Water Science Center          

601 SW 2nd Ave Ste 1950Portland, OR97204United States

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