Polluted Waters Near Chicago Halt Invasive Silver Carp's Advance

Contaminants in the Illinois River may be preventing silver carp from reaching the Great Lakes, posing a unique environmental dilemma.

Silver carp, an invasive species, have been unable to move beyond a section of the Illinois River near Chicago for over a decade.
Research suggests that pollutants in the Chicago Area Waterway cause stress and behavioral changes in silver carp, deterring their movement.
The fish exhibit reduced activity and increased metabolic rates when exposed to water from this polluted area, indicating a stress response.
Efforts to improve water quality in the Chicago area might inadvertently enable the carp to progress towards the Great Lakes.
Understanding the specific contaminants affecting carp behavior could inform future strategies to manage their spread.