Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 01078-02

Branch : Fish Health Branch

Study Plan Number : 01078-02

Study Title : Influences of environmental factors, point source pollution and pathogen distribution on fish health issues in the Chesapeake Bay: 2) Mycobacterial lesions in striped bass

Starting Date : 06/01/1999

Completion Date : 09/30/2006

Principal Investigator(s) : Ottinger, Chris

Primary PI : Ottinger, Chris

Telephone Number : (304) 724-4453

Email Address : cottinger@usgs.gov

SIS Number : 5003673

Primary Program Element : Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Second Program Element : Fish and Aquatic Habitats

Status : Completed

Abstract : BACKGROUND
Reports of high incidences of fish with skin lesions in the summer and fall of 1996 and again in 1997 in the Pocomoke River and other tributaries of Chesapeake Bay stimulated a great deal of public and scientific interest. These skin lesions range from small pinpoint hemorrhages to abrasions to deep ulcers. In addition, there were two fish kills involving primarily Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) in the Pocomoke River in August. These skin lesions as well as the fish kills have been blamed (in the popular press) on the presence of Pfiesteria piscicida (Steidinger et al. 1996) or Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates.
OBJECTIVES
1. Characterize the types and causes(s) of lesions from different tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.

2. Evaluate overall fish health using necropsy-based, physiological, histological and immunological techniques.

3. Map regional distributions of fish lesions from field surveys by FHL, MD DNR, the Cooperative Research Unit and others.

4. Map and/or compile current land use information for the upland and near-stream environment of selected tributaries.

5. Compile and analyze existing information on stream flow and water quality trends, point- and non-point nutrient and toxicant sources, soils, topography and other environmental factors for selected Bay tributaries.

6. Analyze data using GIS and models for correlations among 3-5 above.
HYPHOTHESIS TO BE TESTED
1). Differences in fish health and fish lesion prevalence observed in selected Chesapeake Bay tributaries can be correlated with water quality/land use differences.

2). Typical "Pfiesteria-like" lesions can be induced without exposure to dinoflagellate toxins in the laboratory.

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11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov
Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
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Branch :	Fish Health Branch
Study Plan Number :	01078-02
Study Title :	Influences of environmental factors, point source pollution and pathogen distribution on fish health issues in the Chesapeake Bay: 2) Mycobacterial lesions in striped bass
Starting Date :	06/01/1999
Completion Date :	09/30/2006
Principal Investigator(s) :	Ottinger, Chris
Primary PI :	Ottinger, Chris
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4453
Email Address :	cottinger@usgs.gov
SIS Number :	5003673
Primary Program Element :	Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Second Program Element :	Fish and Aquatic Habitats
Status :	Completed
Abstract :	BACKGROUND Reports of high incidences of fish with skin lesions in the summer and fall of 1996 and again in 1997 in the Pocomoke River and other tributaries of Chesapeake Bay stimulated a great deal of public and scientific interest. These skin lesions range from small pinpoint hemorrhages to abrasions to deep ulcers. In addition, there were two fish kills involving primarily Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) in the Pocomoke River in August. These skin lesions as well as the fish kills have been blamed (in the popular press) on the presence of Pfiesteria piscicida (Steidinger et al. 1996) or Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates. OBJECTIVES 1. Characterize the types and causes(s) of lesions from different tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. 2. Evaluate overall fish health using necropsy-based, physiological, histological and immunological techniques. 3. Map regional distributions of fish lesions from field surveys by FHL, MD DNR, the Cooperative Research Unit and others. 4. Map and/or compile current land use information for the upland and near-stream environment of selected tributaries. 5. Compile and analyze existing information on stream flow and water quality trends, point- and non-point nutrient and toxicant sources, soils, topography and other environmental factors for selected Bay tributaries. 6. Analyze data using GIS and models for correlations among 3-5 above. HYPHOTHESIS TO BE TESTED 1). Differences in fish health and fish lesion prevalence observed in selected Chesapeake Bay tributaries can be correlated with water quality/land use differences. 2). Typical "Pfiesteria-like" lesions can be induced without exposure to dinoflagellate toxins in the laboratory.
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility