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
demonstrating the utility of fish scales as indicators of environmental
recovery and the effectiveness of long-term pollution control efforts in
the Hudson River Estuary.