Presents a study that collected and prepared fish from 23 sites along the Peace, Athabasca, and Slave river drainages in order to conduct physical, physiological, contaminant, and biophysical analyses. The primary fish species targeted for collection and analysis was burbot, used as a sentinel species for monitoring contaminants in northern waters because of its wide distribution, ease of catching, place at the top of the aquatic food chain, and large liver which can bioaccumulate organic compounds. Other species collected were northern pike, longnose sucker, and flathead chub. Specific analyses included gross pathology, metals, liver mixed function oxygenase induction, sex steroids and gonad morphology, retinols, metallothioneins, and basic life history information. Fish were also examined externally and internally for gross pathological abnormalities and deformities. Appendices contain descriptions of fish collection and handling protocols, as well as detailed data.

Contents of each report may be found in "List of publications of the Geological Survey of Canada. 1900."