Sex-change chemicals in the Potomac:
An investigation into the cleanliness of rivers feeding Washington's Potomac River has revealed the presence of sex-changing chemicals.
Pollutants which contain the chemicals, known as endocrine disrupters, were found in several tributaries and in the smallmouth bass fish living within.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) study followed the discovery of high numbers of intersex fish in the Potomac basin.
Endocrine disrupters can mimic or block hormones in the body.
Either naturally occurring or man-made, they can interfere with the endocrine system causing birth defects and reproductive irregularities.
The Potomac River is fed by rivers and streams in Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.
The USGS investigators found pesticides, flame retardants, and personal-care products containing known or suspected endocrine disruptors in all eight sites that were tested.
The chemicals were also found in all of the smallmouth bass examined by the team.
"We analysed samples of 30 smallmouth bass from six sites, including male and female fish without intersex and male fish with intersex," lead scientist Douglas Chambers said.
"All samples contained detectable levels of at least one known endocrine-disrupting compound, including samples from fish without intersex."
Yawn. Pollution is linked to problems in fish. Who hasn't caught an intersex smallmouth bass? They all look the same to me.*
The most interesting thing is that I know that guy Douglas Chambers. I call him Doug. Nice guy. I stayed at his house overnight once when my car broke down.
And here is a link to the audio, featuring an interview with Doug Chambers of the USGS in which he admits that intersex fish don't look different than regular fish. My bogus conclusion? No perceptible differences, no impacts, no problem.
*Note: feigned boredom.
