Natural (weathering) and anthropogenic sources (e.g., sewage discharges, agricultural activities/fertilizers, mining, atmospheric deposition) contribute to the pollution of freshwater ecosystems (e.g., lakes, streams, etc.). The impact of pollution through trace elemental and sediment discharge in freshwater due to the bioaccumulation and biomagnification effects of methyl mercury (MeHg) has been reported in recent studies. Elevated Hg concentration in fish has been found in some lakes and new impoundment reservoirs. Thus, this study investigates the presence of Mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) to determine the composite of whole-body largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus salmoides) samples across three Missouri Lakes (Port Hudson, Buffalo Bill, and Ben Branch reservoirs). Hg was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry while other elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry. Our results were compared with the US EPA Standard values to determine the concentration of 26 elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Se, V, Zn, B, Hg, Pb, P, Tl, Be, Ba, Sb, Ag, Al, and As). The results show a strong interrelationship of some water quality variables due to similarities in the chemical characteristics. In addition, the weekly intakes of trace elements compared with regulatory thresholds (US EPA) and the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks via the consumption of muscle were observed.
