Elements in fish and sediment from the Pacific Coast of the United States: Results from the national benthic surveillance project

Element concentrations were determined in sediment and fish at 51 sites along the Pacific Coast of the United States as part of the National Benthic Surveillance Project (NBSP). For the period covering 1984 through 1988, several elements in sediment from urban sites were frequently found in excess over that expected in relatively pristine sediment. Some of the highest concentrations in liver and stomach contents occurred in fish from reference sites, which generally contained low TOC and low concentrations of elements. This pattern may have been due to enhanced bioavailability of elements at sites with low TOC.