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Changes in fish populations and migration in relation to increased sewage pollution in little Patuxent River, Maryland

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Chesapeake Science

Abstract

Increased sewage pollution in the Little Patuxent River, Maryland, from 1958 to 1967, brought about changes in fish migration, in abundance of resident species, and in the fish community in the stream. The upstream migration of white catfish, white perch, white sucker, and northern redhorse was apparently adversely affected by the increased sewage pollution. The downstream ranges and abundance of resident smallmouth bass and northern hog sucker decreased as did the upstream ranges and abundance of black crappie. Brown bullhead, golden shiner, redbreast sunfish, and bluegill showed different degrees of changes in abundance without reduction in their distribution ranges. Number of species and fish abundance decreased drastically in the area immediately below the chlorinated sewage effluents. Downstream, in the organically enriched areas, the fish community composition changed although there were no changes in number of species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources Institute, University of Maryland, 20742, College Park, Maryland

    Chu-Fa Tsai

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  1. Chu-Fa Tsai
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Contribution No. 407, Natural Resources Institute, University of Maryland.

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Tsai, CF. Changes in fish populations and migration in relation to increased sewage pollution in little Patuxent River, Maryland. Chesapeake Science 11, 34–41 (1970). https://doi.org/10.2307/1351340

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1351340

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