Fish faring better than expected near TVA coal ash spill

Fish faring better than expected near TVA coal ash spill

June 10

While fish living in the Emory River near where 5.4 million yards of coal ash spilled from failed Tennessee Valley Authority containment ponds have ingested small amounts of pollutants, overall the fish are faring better than expected, researchers say.

Researchers with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. have been collecting and testing fish near the site of the Dec. 2008 spill and also in the Emory River’s downriver waters. Fish, including bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie and gizzard shad, have been monitored in the area since February 2009. Scientists have found that while there are small amounts of contaminants like arsenic and selenium in the fish, overall the fish are considered to be healthy.

"We are looking to see if there has been an effect on overall fish health and reproductive condition, and so far, such effects have not been evident," said Mark Peterson, leader of ORNL Environmental Sciences Division´s Ecological Assessment Team and the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory.

Further testing will be required, scientists said. According to the report, contaminants like selenium can increase over time in the food chain. The second year of monitoring will prove important, researches said.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com

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