Data for: Assessing striped bass scale metal accumulation as an indicator of Hudson river water quality

The accumulation of trace elements in aquatic environments has the potential to threaten fish populations and human health. Fish scales provide a nonlethal alternative that enables contamination assessment without sacrificing the fish. This study examined trace element concentrations in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) using archived scales from the Hudson River Biological Monitoring Program as indicators of temporal trends in trace element contamination in fish and water of the Hudson River Estuary (HRE) from 1989 to 2017. A total of 23 trace elements were measured across 103 samples, with fish total lengths ranging from 150 to 845 mm and ages spanning 0 to 9 years. Fish body size was identified as a key factor influencing element bioaccumulation, revealing significant declines in several trace element concentrations over time. This study establishes a baseline time series of relative trace element contamination in the HRE, suggesting improvements in regional water quality and demonstra..., , # Data for: Assessing striped bass scale metal accumulation as an indicator of Hudson river water quality

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.hqbzkh1x8](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.hqbzkh1x8)

## Description of the data and file structure

This dataset is from the manuscript \"Assessing Striped Bass Scale Metal Accumulation as an Indicator of Hudson River Water Quality\" and provides the details of the trace elements analyzed and results.

### Files and variables

#### File: cjfas-2025-0318-data.xlsx

**Description:** 

**sum** = this worksheet shows all sample information and results of trace element concentrations analyzed in nmol/g

* SAMPLE ID: Identification number of the sampling event within the survey
* FISH ID: Identification number of an individual fish within a sample
* RIVER MILE: River mile location where the fish was collected
* AGE (years): Age of the fish determined by counting annuli on scales
* LENGTH (mm): Total length of the fish (millimeters)
* YEAR: Year of collection
* C...,