New research from NOAAfoundtissue concentrations of toxic contaminants in queen conch (Strombus gigas), including metals, energeticcompounds (associated with munitions), and the pesticide DDTfrom Vieques, Puerto Rico. The measured contaminant levels weresimilar to elsewhere in the Caribbean despite decades of military activities on the island. A team of scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, the Office of Response and Restoration, and the Office of Coastal Management published their findings in thepaper, ‘Contaminants in Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) in Vieques, Puerto Rico’ in the journal Regional Studies in Marine Science.
This study was requested by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to help address local concerns that land-based sources of pollution are impacting fish populations on the south shore of the island.
For more information please contact Dave Whitall or Mike Fulton.