Dawn Dittman Marisa Turk Jeff Wyatt Louis DiVincenti, Jr. 202604 tabular digital data Reston, VA U.S. Geological Survey [Dawn Dittman, U.S. Geological Survey, ORCID: 0000-0002-0711-3732], [Marisa Turk, U.S. Geological Survey (Contractor), ORCID: 0009-0009-9674-9123], [Jeff Wyatt, University of Rochester Medical Center], [Louis DiVincenti, Jr., University of Rochester Medical Center] https://doi.org/10.5066/P1BJVUVW Fish are often used as bioindicators to test the state of their environment qualitatively or quantitatively. This data set contains details of lake sturgeon (captured in the Genesee and Oswegatchie Rivers for Bioindicator Project GL-00E00825-0, 2012-2013). This study focused on non-lethal comparison of chemicals in age matched release juvenile lake sturgeon in an Area of Concern (Rochester Embayment, Genesee River) and a control water (Oswegatchie River). The lake sturgeon data includes capture location, gill net information, capture date, tags, length, weight, girth, marks, year class, life stage, and non-lethal samples taken. Capture location data includes river, latitude, longitude, site, date, river depth, temperature, DO, pH, ORP, and water velocity. The release of hatchery reared lake sturgeon is a management action in the restoration of Lake Sturgeon in the Great Lakes. When the same year-classes are released into multiple rivers, the sibling fish are very suitable for use as a comparison bioindicator of the environment condition of the rivers. The main goal of the of Bioindicator Project GL-00E00825-0, 2012-2013 was to compare the Rochester Area of Concern (AOC) Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) linked chemical contaminant concentrations of 2003 and 2004 released Lake Sturgeon as measured in 2012/2013 with age matched, released Lake Sturgeon in the reference, non-AOC Oswegatchie River. We tested if the chemical contaminant tissue concentrations significantly different in Genesee and the Oswegatchie River sturgeon. Chemical contaminant analysis was funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant to University of Rochester Medical Center in a project separate from the work completed with the USGS. 20120515 20130613 ground condition Complete None planned Lower Genesee and Oswegatchie Rivers -77.6247 -75.4233 44.6533 43.1900 ISO 19115 Topic Category biota inlandWaters environment health USGS Thesaurus ecotoxicology contamination and pollution pesticide and herbicide contamination industrial pollution human impacts mercury contamination environmental health (human) aquatic biology ecology water quality freshwater ecosystems river systems remediation bioaccumulation fish USGS Metadata Identifier USGS:67cf0079d34ecfe34cc86706 Common Geographic Areas New York Monroe Rochester Great Lakes Lake Ontario Southwestern Lake Ontario Lower Genesee Northeastern Lake Ontario-Lake Ontario-St. Law St. Lawrence Oswegatchie Saint Lawrence Heuvelton Ogdensburg Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) lake sturgeon Kingdom Animalia Subkingdom Bilateria Infrakingdom Deuterostomia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Infraphylum Gnathostomata Superclass Actinopterygii Class Chondrostei Order Acipenseriformes Suborder Acipenseroidei Family Acipenseridae Subfamily Acipenserinae Genus Acipenser Species Acipenser fulvescens TSN: 161071 There are no access constraints associated with these data. There are no use constraints associated with these data. Dawn E Dittman USGS - MIDCONTINENT REGION Research Ecologist mailing and physical

GLSC Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science,GLSC - TLAS - OFC, Lab, Upper Randd Bldg

Cortland NY 13045 607-753-9391 ddittman@usgs.gov Partial funding provided by the Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (EPA GLRI GL-00E00825-0) Microsoft Excel, Version 2402 GENOSW_2012-13_CaptureLocationsPhysical.csv (4KB) GENOSW_2012-13_LakeSturgeonCaptures.csv (13KB) Jeff Wyatt Dawn Dittman 2025 publication Holding place for the manuscript "Utility of repatriated lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) as biomonitors for persistent chemical contaminants in a Lake Ontario, EPA-designated Area of Concern" submitted to Environmental Pollution. Louis DiVincenti, Jr. 2013 publication M.S. Thesis, University of Rochester, Department of Clinical & Translational Science Jeff Wyatt Louis DiVincenti, Jr. Dawn Dittman 20150731 publication Final report prepared for USEPA-GLNPO All crew members were trained on previously developed SOPs for gill net sampling, biological measurements, and biological sample collection, and all duties were carried out under the supervision of a crew leader (see process steps for further details). Under most circumstances, blood was collected by Dr. Louis DiVincenti or Dr. Jeff Wyatt, both experienced, NYS-licensed wildlife veterinarians. Drs. DiVincenti and Wyatt provided training on anatomical and physiological characteristics of lake sturgeon important for venipuncture, as well as hands-on training prior to any field technicians collecting blood. It was ensured that proper weighted anchors and large enough floats were used to make sure that gill nets were properly set on the bottom in an upright fence manner. Any tools used for taking biological measurements were properly calibrated to ensure accuracy of measurements (e.g. zeroing scales before weights were taken). The data set is consistent and logical as determined through manual data cleaning and QA/QC procedures. This dataset represents the complete set of sturgeon sampled throughout the course of the project (though not all of these samples were used in later analyses as indicated in the 'SampledUsed?' and 'Comments' fields). Data were mapped within ArcGIS Pro (version 3.3.2) to ensure points hit in the water near the correct site locations as described. Not applicable Sample Locations Two river populations of age-matched, repatriated Lake Sturgeon originating from the same gamete collection and hatcheries in 2003 and 2004 were sampled as part of the ongoing USGS population surveys of 2012 and 2013. Gill nets were set at seven primary sites, and at up to twelve total sites, in the Genesee River to obtain samples from the Rochester Embayment AOC local population, while up to twelve sites in the Oswegatchie River near Ogdensburg, NY were sampled to capture representatives of a control, non-AOC local population. Gill Net Sampling and Measurements Up to twelve monofilament, 38m long, 2.4m deep gillnets ranging in size from 5 to 15cm stretched mesh were deployed on each sampling date between May and September of 2012 and May and June of 2013 in each river. When setting gill nets, one anchor is dropped over the side of the boat at the starting location closest to the bank and then the net is set at a 45 degree angle as the boat proceeds downstream, away from the bank. When all of the net is deployed, the second anchor is dropped. The net should be stationary, with the lead line resting on the bottom. Nets were retrieved within 24 hours after placement, and reset for up to 3 consecutive days. During retrieval, starting at the downstream end of the net, the float is pulled into the boat followed by the anchor. The net is placed into the storage tub as it is hauled in. Fish are removed from the net as they come out of the water and placed in a live well with aeration. Collected target fish are identified and length and weight measurements are recorded. Each sturgeon caught was removed from the net and individually identified by a floy tag placed at the base of the pectoral or dorsal fin and/or passive integrated transponder (PIT) injected intramuscularly in dorsolateral musculature. Age was determined by identifying Year Class specific scute removals, or a pre-existing floy tag or PIT Tag or by examining a biopsied section of a pectoral fin’s leading edge growth rings. Sturgeon of year classes other than the matched target years were either not sampled or obtained blood samples were not used for analysis. Morphometric data including weight, length, and girth were obtained and recorded. When taking length, the lake sturgeon is picked up and placed on a measuring board. The measuring board consists of a linear scale and a rigid headpiece. Slight pressure is exerted against the headpiece of the lake sturgeon, and the fish’s body is positioned on its right side so that its head is facing the observer’s left. The lobes of the caudal fin are compressed, and the total length of the fish is measured. The total length is measured from the snout to the end of the compressed caudal fins of the lake sturgeon. After length is recorded, excess water is blotted off the sturgeon, the spring-loaded scale tared, and the weight of the sturgeon is then taken. Biological Samples The fish was then manually restrained in dorsal recumbency in a “V” board and blood collected from the ventral coccygeal vasculature directly into a 10ml red top glass Vacutainer ™ (BD, Frankin Lakes, NJ) using a 20-gauge, 1.5” needle. A maximum of 5 ml blood per kilogram of body weight was obtained from each fish. Hemostasis and full swimming ability was confirmed prior to releasing the fish back into the river. The blood sample was allowed to clot and stored on wet ice in the field (maximum of 6hrs between collection and processing). After clotting, the sample was centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes, and 1.7ml of serum was separated into a plastic cryo vial certified free of contaminants (No. 10-500-27, Fisher Scientific, Rochester, NY) and the remainder separated into glass amber vials, labeled with the fish’s unique identification number. The samples were then stored at -44°C until shipped overnight on dry ice for processing and analysis. Each analyzed sample consisted of composited serum from three sturgeon of the same year class with a few exceptions. For heavy metal analysis, serum was shipped and analyzed within 28 days of collection. For other contaminants, serum was shipped and analyzed within 1 year of collection. Because Lake Sturgeon are threatened and protected in New York State, no animals were killed for the purpose of contaminant analysis in this study. Dead specimens were collected from animals that died unexpectedly during routine gill netting within the study areas or that were found dead and intact on shore and submitted by NYSDEC to the study sponsors. Morphometrics (length, girth, weight) and age were recorded for each carcass. Carcasses were wrapped in aluminum foil and stored at -44°C until shipped overnight on dry ice for processing and analysis 20130614 GENOSW_2012-13_CaptureLocationsPhysical.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing physical data taken at capture sites. Producer Defined River River sampled Producer Defined Genesee Genesee River Producer defined Oswegatchie Oswegatchie River Producer defined Latitude Latitude of sampling location (decimal degrees, datum: NAD83) Producer Defined 43.19 44.63533 decimal degrees Longitude Longitude of sampling location (decimal degrees, datum: NAD83) Producer Defined -77.62697 77.61599 decimal degrees Site Description of sampling site Producer Defined Descriptive name for sampling locations (e.g. "Below 104 bridge"). Date Date of sampling (MM/DD/YYYY) Producer Defined 05/15/2012 06/13/2013 River_Depth_m River depth (m) at sampling location Producer Defined 2.5 7.3 meters Depth_Measurement_m Water depth (m) from surface at which environmental measurements were taken Producer Defined 0.3 0.3 meters Temperature_C Water temperature (C) at site and time of sampling Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 10.54 28.28 degrees Celsius Dissolved_Oxygen Dissolved oxygen content (mg/L) at site and time of sampling Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 7.56 11.93 milligrams/Liter pH Water pH at site and time of sampling Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 6.97 8.82 pH ORP Oxidation reduction potential (mV) at site and time of sampling Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 12.3 205.9 millivolts Water_Velocity Velocity (m/s) of water at site and time of sampling Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 0.01 0.24 meters/second GENOSW_2012-13_LakeSturgeonCaptures.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing lake sturgeon capture data. Producer Defined River River sampled Producer Defined Genesee Genesee River Producer defined Oswegatchie Oswegatchie River Producer defined Latitude Latitude of sampling location (decimal degrees, datum: NAD83) Producer Defined 43.19 44.63533 decimal degrees Longitude Longitude of sampling location (decimal degrees, datum: NAD83) Producer Defined -77.62697 -75.38274 decimal degrees Site Brief description of sampling site Producer Defined Descriptive name for sampling locations (e.g. "Below 104 bridge"). GillNet Gillnet mesh size (inches) used in sampling Producer Defined << empty cell >> Gillnet size not recorded Producer defined Gillnet sizes given in inches (may be given as a single value or a range). Date_set Date (MM/DD/YYYY) of gillnet setting Producer Defined Date format: MM/DD/YYYY Time_set Time (HH:MM) of gillnet setting Producer Defined NA Set time not recorded Producer defined Time format: HH:MM (24 hr) Date_pulled Date (MM/DD/YYYY) of gillnet pulling Producer Defined Date format: MM/DD/YYYY Time_pulled Time (HH:MM) of gillnet pulling Producer Defined NA Pull time not recorded Producer defined Time format: HH:MM (24 hr) Floy_tag The unique identifying number of the floy tag inserted into the sturgeon Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined Floy tag ID follows the format: USGS #### Pit_tag The unique identifying number of the PIT tag inserted into the sturgeon Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined PIT tag ID is an alphanumeric code of variable length Scute_mark Scute mark indicating year class of sampled sturgeon Producer Defined NA Scute mark not present or ambiguous Producer defined Example scute mark format: 3,4 R (indicating scutes 3 and 4 on the right side) Length_mm The total length (mm) measured of sampled sturgeon (taken from tip of snout to fin) Producer Defined 585 1098 millimeters Weight_kg The total weight (kg) measured of sampled sturgeon Producer Defined 1.02 12.88 kilograms Girth_mm The circumference of the sampled sturgeon (taken just behind the pectoral fins) Producer Defined 134 531 millimeters Year_class The year in which the sampled sturgeon was hatched Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 2000 2004 Life Stage The identified life stage of the sampled sturgeon Producer Defined Juv Juvenile (< 5 years) Producer defined Sub-Adult Sub-Adult (> 5 years) Producer defined SampleTaken Type of sample taken from sturgeon Producer Defined blood blood sample taken Producer defined blood, age blood and age samples taken Producer defined whole body whole body taken Producer defined age age sample taken Producer defined SampleUsed? Indication of whether taken sample was used in analysis Producer Defined Y Yes (sample used in analysis) Producer defined N No (sample not used in analysis) Producer defined Comments Comments indicating why a sample may not have been used in analysis Producer Defined << empty cell >> Sample used (no additional comments necessary) Producer defined Explanation as to why a taken sample was not utilized in analysis. U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase mailing address

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Denver CO 80225 1-888-275-8747 sciencebase@usgs.gov Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Digital Data https://doi.org/10.5066/P1BJVUVW There are no fees associated with these data. 20260416 Great Lakes Science Center mailing and physical

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Ann Arbor MI 48105 US 734-994-3331 GS_ASK_GLSC@usgs.gov FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001.1-1999