BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE. 89(3):717–734. 2013 htp://dx.doi.org/10.5343/bms.2012.1078 717 Bulletn of Marine Science © 2013 Rosenstel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science of the University of Miami WHOLE-BODY CONCENTRATIONS OF ELEMENTS IN THREE FISH SPECIES FROM OFFSHORE OIL PLATFORMS AND NATURAL AREAS IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BIGHT, USA Milton S Love, Michael K Saiki, Tomas W May, and Julie L Yee ABSTRACT Tere is concern that ofshore oil platforms of Southern California may be contributing to environmental contaminants accumulated by marine fshes. To examine this possibility, 18 kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus Girard, 1854), 80 kelp rockfsh (Sebastes atrovirens Jordan and Gilbert, 1880), and 98 Pacifc sanddab ( Citharichthys sordidus Girard, 1854) were collected from fve ofshore oil platforms and 10 natural areas during 2005–2006 for whole-body analysis of 63 elements. Forty-two elements were excluded from statistical comparisons as they (1) consisted of major cations that were unlikely to accumulate to potentially toxic concentrations; (2) were not detected by the analytical procedures; or (3) were detected at concentrations too low to yield reliable quantitative measurements. Te remaining 21 elements consisted of aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, iron, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, nickel, rubidium, selenium, strontium, tin, titanium, vanadium, and zinc. Statistical comparisons of these elements indicated that none consistently exhibited higher concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas. However, the concentrations of copper, selenium, titanium, and vanadium in Pacifc sanddab were unusual because small individuals exhibited either no diferences between oil platforms and natural areas or signifcantly lower concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas, whereas large individuals exhibited signifcantly higher concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas. Twenty-seven active and seven decommissioned ofshore oil-and-gas production platforms (henceforth referred to as “oil platforms”) are located within the Southern California Bight between Point Arguello in the north and the US-Mexico border in the south. Over the next few decades, many active platforms are expected to un- dergo decommissioning as their economic proft margins decline. Decommissioned platforms in Southern California historically have undergone complete removal. However, recent ecological studies indicate that platforms provide artifcial struc- ture for marine life, including many fsh species of recreational and commercial importance, and may contribute to rebuilding overfshed stocks (Love et al. 2000, 2005, 2006). Platform decommissioning options range from leaving the entire intact structure in place to removal of part or all of the structure. Regardless of the op- tion selected, resource managers are concerned that environmental contaminants associated with the drilling process (i.e., contaminated drilling mud and cuttings), the produced water, and other platform-related activities (e.g., sanitary and domestic wastes) could pose toxic risks to fshes and consumers of tainted fshes, including marine birds, mammals, and humans.