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Male Fish Growing Eggs In Potomac?
Abnormally Developed Fish Turn Up In Area
POSTED: 7:20 am EDT September 6, 2006
UPDATED: 7:25 am EDT September 6, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Government scientists say abnormally developed fish -- with both male and female characteristics -- have been discovered in the Potomac River and its tributaries.
Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey say more than 80 percent of the male smallmouth bass they found in the tributaries in Maryland were growing immature eggs inside their sex organs. The same problem was found in largemouth bass caught in Washington, D.C.
Fish with similar problems were discovered in a West Virginia stream in 2003 and some others in 2004 in Sharpsburg, Md.
The scientists say the problems may be caused by pollution that that can confuse animals' growth and reproductive systems.
Four area water utilities draw drinking water from the Potomac -- the Washington Aqueduct, Fairfax Water, the Frederick County authority and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.
Male Fish Growing Eggs In Potomac?
Abnormally Developed Fish Turn Up In Area
POSTED: 7:20 am EDT September 6, 2006
UPDATED: 7:25 am EDT September 6, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Government scientists say abnormally developed fish -- with both male and female characteristics -- have been discovered in the Potomac River and its tributaries.
Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey say more than 80 percent of the male smallmouth bass they found in the tributaries in Maryland were growing immature eggs inside their sex organs. The same problem was found in largemouth bass caught in Washington, D.C.
Fish with similar problems were discovered in a West Virginia stream in 2003 and some others in 2004 in Sharpsburg, Md.
The scientists say the problems may be caused by pollution that that can confuse animals' growth and reproductive systems.
Four area water utilities draw drinking water from the Potomac -- the Washington Aqueduct, Fairfax Water, the Frederick County authority and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.
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