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Mercury and Fish in the Adirondack Lakes

Mercury and Fish in the Adirondack Lakes. Jason Dittman & Dr. Charles Driscoll Syracuse University. Background . Regional Fish Survey 1992-93 - 26 lakes in the Adirondacks. - Fish and water column Hg sampling. 1992-1993 Results. Fish Hg Concentrations 1992-1993.

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Mercury and Fish in the Adirondack Lakes

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  1. Mercury and Fish in the Adirondack Lakes Jason Dittman & Dr. Charles Driscoll Syracuse University

  2. Background • Regional Fish Survey 1992-93 - 26 lakes in the Adirondacks. - Fish and water column Hg sampling.

  3. 1992-1993 Results

  4. Fish Hg Concentrations 1992-1993

  5. Summary of 1992-1993 Study • Elevated concentrations of fish Hg • As pH declined, Hg increased • 34% of perch exceeded 0.3 ug/g level • 96% of the lakes exceed 0.3 ug/g level • DOC plays a complex role • Other factors such as pH, Al, redox conditions, fish age, and food source

  6. Figure 1. Anthropogenic U.S. mercury emissions. Source: www.epa.gov/mercury.com Figure 1. Anthropogenic U.S. mercury emissions. Source: www.epa.gov/mercury.com Anthropogenic U.S. Hg emissions Source: www.epa.gov/mercury.com

  7. 2005-2006 • Resurvey original 26 Lakes: • Water column – [Hg] & ancillary. • Fish – yellow perch (Perca flavescens) 3. Zooplankton – Clarkson University

  8. Study Objectives • Evaluate changes in water column and fish mercury (Hg) concentrations from 1992-2006. • Evaluate potential mechanisms contributing to observed changes from 1992-2006. • Compare water column and fish Hg concentrations across a gradient of lakes.

  9. Water Chemistry

  10. Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)

  11. Fish Analysis Methods Dermal Punch Plug of Fish Tissue Direct Hg Analyzer

  12. 2005-2006 Survey • Worked completed to date: • All 26 lakes have been resurveyed. • Water chemistry analysis complete. • Fish tissue analysis in progress ~1200 fish

  13. n=70 n=47 n=19 n=7 n=91 n=65 n=33 n=18 n=9 n=138 n=78 n=5 n=38 n=56 n=102 n=234 n=88 n=178

  14. n=8 n=2 n=16 n=2 n=2 n=5 n=6 n=2 n=13 n=3 n=4 n=4 n=8 n=4 n=4

  15. n=8 n=1 n=4 n=1 n=1 n=2 n=23 n=5 n=3 n=8 n=12 n=6 n=3

  16. Conclusion • The acid-base status of lakes surveyed has improved over the past decade. • Water column [HgT] & [MeHg] has decreased since 1992. • Fish [Hg] has declined since 1992. - degree of decline is lake dependent (geochemical characteristics). • A better picture of the actual response will be gained by including 2006 fish data.

  17. Future Work • Selection of 6 lakes for intensive study • Mercury Cycling Model for Headwater Drainage Lakes(MCM-HD) model

  18. Acknowledgements Field work: • Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation Laboratory work: • Mario Montesdeoca • Ed Mason • Colin Fuss • Sharon Quimby

  19. References Driscoll, C.T, Yan, C., Schofield, C.L., Muson, R., Holsapple, J. 1994. The Mercury Cycle and Fish in the Adirondack Lakes. Environ. Sci. Technol. Vol. 28: 136A -143A. Driscoll, C.T., Blette, V., Yan, C., Schofield, C.L., Munson, R., and Holsapple, J. 1995. The role of dissolved organic carbon in the chemistry and bioavailability of mercury in remote Adirondack lakes. Water Air Soil Pollution 80: 499-508. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mercury website: www.epa.gov/mercury.

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