Bluegill Fish Help Fight the War on Terror

Colleen E. Hardy, J.D. Senior Research Associate. Email.
October 2006.

Bluegill fish, also known as sunfish or bream, help major cities around the country detect contamination in their water systems. After the September 11th attacks, federal law requires a majority of water systems to assess their vulnerability to terrorism. Officials are concerned that terrorists might attempt to dump chemicals or other toxic agents into a water supply. The United States Army and the Intelligent Automation Corporation created the IAC 1090 Intelligent Aquatic Biomonitoring System, which is a water-monitoring device. The device electronically analyzes the behavior of eight young bluegill fish. The fish are used to detect chemical toxins or other contaminants in the water systems.  Bluegill fish are highly attuned to chemical disturbances in their surrounding environment. A bluegill fish will react to a disturbance by “coughing,” and flexing their gills to expel unwanted particles.

How does it work? Eight bluegill fish are kept in a tank which is constantly replenished with water from the local water supply. Sensors are placed in each tank and work twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The sensors monitor any changes in the fish’s breathing, heartbeat, and swimming patterns. The sensors are extremely sensitive and can detect which fish coughed or became agitated.

If the sensors pick up any change in the fish’s vital signs, an e-mail alert system is activated and the appropriate officials are notified of the change. The employees can determine whether or not to stop the water from reaching the public water system.

New York City implemented the water device in 2002. In the past four years, the bluegills have successfully detected at least thirty toxic chemicals. In one instance, the fish reacted to a change in the water and alerted workers. Upon closer examination, the workers identified that there had been a diesel spill and because of the fish, they were able to prevent the spill from affecting the water supply and therefore affecting the public. The fish noticed the contamination two hours before any other agency detection devices had detected it.

Another example of bluegill’s success was in the spring of 2004. Some bluegill fish died at Fort Detrick and when the officials examined the water they found traces of materials commonly found in pesticides and herbicides. The officials never determined what the toxin was, but fortunately for those citizens living in nearby Maryland, the toxins were never released into the water system.

The bluegill fish do have some limitations. For example, the fish cannot detect anthrax, E.coli or other bacteria. However, the water system companies have other tests in place to detect those agents. Additionally, they cannot be relied upon for other types of attacks, for example a bomb ignited on a water main.

Bill Lawler, co-founder of Intelligent Automation Corporation, stated that more than a dozen other cities have ordered the anti-terror apparatus. The price can range from $45,000 to almost $110,000. However, the cost of the fish is less than $20.

The system only works if the fish are kept comfortable and relaxed. Therefore, the fish are fed properly and not stressed by working. It is important to keep the fish in a stress-free environment.   

"It’s a winning combination of nature and high technology,” Susan Leal told USA Today. Leal is the general manager of San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission. While the monitoring device may be pricey, clearly the overall economic value and importance to the community has been demonstrated by these helpful, little fish.