Small fish have been analyzed in the RMP Exposure and Effects Pilot Study since 2005. Small fish are excellent indicators of biological uptake of contaminants, particularly mercury. Small fish have high site fidelity and are prey for higher trophic level organisms such as piscivorous birds, mammals, and fish. Each year, sites are selected based on site characteristics such as enclosed embayments, open bay sites, wetlands with differing mercury concentrations, sites in close proximity to mercury mines, and sites near wastewater treatment facilities.
