Intersex Fish
In late 2002 and 2003 both fisherman and scientists alike realized that small mouth bass were being found dead with multiple lesions in headwater streams of the Potomac river. Upon further investigation of the fish kills scientists found that the male small mouth bass had developed eggs inside of their testes. While the exact cause as to why the eggs had developed is unknown, factors such as run-off from agriculture, hormones from human waste and improperly disposed of pharmaceuticals all are contributing factors. A special class of chemicals called endocrine disruptors are the main chemical culprit, these chemicals include synthetic hormones used in agriculture, human birth control, some ingredients in plastics and other manufacturing processes. The intersex fish issues is not contained to just the Potomac, fish from around the country and around the world are exhibiting hermaphroditic qualities.
Discovery News - Hermaphroditic Fish - More hermaphroditic fish are being found in U.S. rivers
Washington Post - Intersex Fish in the Potomac - Intersex fish in the Potomac are blamed on chemical run-off
Intersex Fish in the Chesapeake Bay - USGS survey on intersex fish in the Chesapeake Bay area
USGS - Where Intersex Fish are Found - Report on intersex fish and where they are found
USGS-Endocrine Disrupters - USGS Study linking endocrine disruptors to hermaphroditic fish
