Polychlorinated biphenyls and chlordane in the gonads of paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, from the Ohio River.

The paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) is a primitive fish that is found in several large rivers of the Mississippi River drainage. The status of paddlefish populations in these large rivers is debatable due to several factors including habitat loss, contaminants and commercial fishing (Sparrowe 1986; Gundersen and Pearson 1992). The roe of female paddlefish is used to make domestic caviar and commercial fishermen are paid substantial prices (up to $110/Kg) for this roe (Hoffnagle and Timmons 1989). Paddlefish are classified as a fish "of special concern” in many of these large rivers. Hence, these fish may become threatened or endangered by subtle disturbances to their habitat (Williams et al. 1989).