Martin Stapanian to Present ‘PCBs and Mercury Concentrations in Freshwater Fish’ Nov. 19 at Western

Martin Stapanian of the U.S. Geological Survey will discuss environmental contaminants in fish populations as part of the Western Washington University Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19 in Communications Facility 120 on Western’s campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Fish contain high quality protein and essential nutrients. However, some populations also contain chemical contaminants at levels that may be harmful to health. Because of their greater proximity to human activities and contamination sources, freshwater fish are more likely to be contaminated than those from marine waters. In his talk titled “PCBs and Mercury Concentrations in Freshwater Fish,” Stapanian will describe the results of a study comparing male and female burbot from a contaminated source (Lake Erie) with those taken from a pristine source (Great Slave Lake).

Stapanian received his doctorate from Kansas State University in 1980. After a brief stint at Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, he went on to work for private industry and the federal government performing research in ecology and environmental chemistry. Since 1999, he has worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in Sandusky, Ohio, where his research focuses on wetland ecology and the biology of cold-water fish.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate.

The Huxley College Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental professionals and stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.

For more information, please contact WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment at (360) 650-2554.