No abstract was published. A summary of the Introduction and Results follows.

The Water and Energy Research Institute (WERI) conducted a marine water quality monitoring program for the airport and dock facility construction project for Kosrae State, Federated State of Micronesia (FSM). This monitoring program was initiated in May 1982 and completed in July 1984. Physical and chemical water quality parameters were measured in near-surface waters on a quarterly basis at 10 water quality stations within Okat Harbor. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) were repeatedly measured in excess of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) marine water quality standard (0.10 μg/L). These higher mercury concentrations appeared to be related to the construction project. Therefore, it was possible that fish in the vicinity of Okat Harbor has higher than normal accumulations of mercury within their tissue. Since fish from the harbor area were being routinely harvested for food by locals and construction personnel, it was deemed necessary to investigate mercury concentrations in food fish.

Since fish bio-accumulate methyl-mercury in their muscle tissue, an analysis of fish muscle tissue can be made to determine if a mercury contamination problem exists. Excessive mercury levels in fish can indicate a chronic mercury source. A preliminary sampling project (WERI Information Report No. 7 by Clayshulte, 1984) was conducted by WERI during a single sampling event in October 1983 for mercury concentrations in bottom fish from Okat Harbor. This study indicated a potential mercury contamination problem with higher-than-expected concentrations in medium-sized predatory food fishes. Follow-up studies are reported in WERI Technical Report Nos. 67 and 68, both by Clayshulte, 1986.