Mississippi River IA 01-NEM-61

Assessment Comments

Assessment is based on fish tissue monitoring (RAFT) at two locations in the Upper Mississippi River: (1) near Muscatine in 1999, 2001, and 2002 and (2) near Buffalo (Scott Co.) in 1998, 2000, and 2002.

Basis for Assessment

The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses and the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of information upon which to base an assessment.   Fish consumption uses remain assessed as "fully supported" based on results of fish contaminant monitoring from 1998 through 2002.   The data used for this assessment are from results of the U.S.  EPA/DNR (RAFT) fish tissue monitoring program near Buffalo, Iowa, in 1998, 2000, and 2002 (trend (whole-fish) monitoring) and near Muscatine in 1999, 2001 and 2002 (status (fillet) monitoring).   Note:  the RAFT trend monitoring site near Linwood was moved downriver to Buffalo in 1998.  

EXPLANATION:  The Class A (primary contact recreation) uses and the Class B(WW) aquatic life uses remain "not assessed" due to lack of monitoring information for this river reach.   Results of EPA/DNR fish tissue (RAFT) monitoring on the Mississippi River near Buffalo 1998, 2000, and 2002 showed that levels of all contaminants in the three samples of whole-fish carp were below the respective FDA action levels.   For details regarding the 1998 and 2000 samples, see the assessment developed for the 2002 report.   The composite sample of whole-fish common carp collected from this site as part of RAFT trend monitoring in 2002 had very low levels of contaminants.   This sample did not contain levels of contaminants that approached even one-half the respective action levels or IDNR levels of concern.   Levels of primary contaminants in the sample were as follows: mercury: 0.133 ppm; total PCBs: 0.295 ppm; and technical chlordane: 0.069 ppm..   In addition to this trend (whole-fish) sampling, EPA/DNR (RAFT) status (fillet) monitoring conducted downstream from Muscatine in 1999, 2001 and 2002 showed that levels of all contaminants in composite samples of fillets are well-below ½ of the respective FDA action levels and DNR levels of concern (see also assessment for the 2000 and 2002 reports).   Composite samples of fillets from channel catfish and flathead catfish collected in 2002 had very low levels of contaminants.   Neither sample contained levels of contaminants that approached even one-half the respective FDA action levels or IDNR levels of concern.   Levels of primary contaminants in the composite sample of channel catfish fillets were as follows: mercury: 0.055 ppm; total PCBs: 0.123 ppm; and technical chlordane: <0.03 ppm.   Levels of primary contaminants in the composite sample of flathead catfish fillets were as follows: mercury: 0.044 ppm; total PCBs: <0.09 ppm; and technical chlordane: <0.03 ppm.   Based on this information, fish consumption uses are assessed (monitored) as "fully supported."