Metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in shorthorn sculpins, Myoxocephalus scorpius (Linnaeus), and Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus), from the vicinity of Strathcona Sound, Northwest Territories

Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were determined in muscle and liver tissues from shorthorn sculpins and landlocked Arctic char collected in the vicinity of Strathcona Sound, N.W.T., prior to industrial activity. The concentration of arsenic in both muscle and liver tissues from shorthorn sculpins displayed a positive correlation to body weight over the entire size range, and substantially exceeded the maximum recommended level for arsenic in marine animal products established by the Canadian Food and Drug Directorate. The concentrations of the other four elements were either not correlated to body weight or else the data were non-linear. No correlation between the metal concentrations and body weight was found in Arctic char.