The substantial size of some hydroelectric projects and the extensive total surface area covered by reservoirs globally require that research determining the impacts of these developments be done at ever-increasing spatial and temporal scales. As a consequence of this research, new views are emerging about the spatial extent and longevity of the environmental and social impacts of such developments. New findings challenge the notion of hydroelectric development as a benign alternative to other forms of power generation. This review examines the intertwined environmental and social effects of methylmercury bioaccumulation in the food web, emission of greenhouse gases from reservoirs, downstream effects of altered flows, and impacts on biodiversity, each of which operates at its own unique spatial and temporal scales. Methylmercury bioaccumulation occurs at the smallest spatial and temporal scales of the four impacts reviewed, whereas downstream effects usually occur at the largest scales. Greenhouse gas emissions, the newest surprise connected with large-scale hydroelectric development, are relatively short term but eventually may have important global-scale consequences. Limitation of biodiversity by hydroelectric development usually occurs at intermediate spatial and temporal scales. Knowledge developed from working at expanded spatial and temporal scales should be an important part of future decision making for large-scale hydroelectric development.

No abstract

No abstract

Our objective was to study the effects of experimental flooding of a small wetland lake on the methyl mercury (MeHg) concentrations in aquatic insects and to compare MeHg concentrations in insects with those in water and fish from the same system. Insects were collected from the shorelines of the experimental reservoir before and after flooding, an undisturbed wetland lake, and an oligotrophic lake, all in the Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario. Samples were identified to the lowest possible taxon and categorized into functional feeding groups (FFGs; predators or collector/shredders). The insects were analyzed for MeHg and total Hg using clean techniques. Contamination was not a problem because levels of MeHg in insects were much higher than background concentrations. Odonata, Corixidae, Gerridae, Gyrinidae, and Phryganeidae/Polycentropodidae exhibited increases in MeHg concentrations in response to flooding. When data were grouped into FFGs, increases were observed in predators. There were insufficient numbers of collector/shredders collected to make a definitive conclusion on MeHg increases. Predators exhibited an approximately threefold increase in MeHg concentrations after flooding compared with a 20-fold increase in water concentrations and a four- to five-fold increase in fish concentrations. Trends in MeHg concentrations in aquatic insects from reservoirs and natural lakes in Finland and northern Québec were similar to ours. Evidence of an increase in MeHg concentrations in the lower food web helps explain increases in MeHg concentrations in fish from reservoirs because food is the major pathway of MeHg uptake in fish tissue.

Arsenic concentrations were measured in aquatic invertebrates, macrophytes, sediments, and water of lakes in the vicinity of Yellowknife (N.W.T.), Canada. In arsenic-contaminated lakes the arsenic concentration ranged from 0.70 to 5.5 ppm in water, 6 to 3,500 ppm in bottom sediments, 150 to 3,700 ppm in macrophytes, 700 to 2,400 ppm in zooplankton, and less than 1 to 1,300 ppm in other invertebrates. The arsenic concentration in invertebrates varied with sampling time, place, and taxon. Arsenic concentration factors were calculated, and found to decrease with increasing concentration of arsenic in ecosystem components of the lake. No evidence was found for biomagnification of arsenic through ascending trophic levels. In high-arsenic lakes herbivores had the highest arsenic concentrations, and omnivores the lowest. Pelecypoda, Ephemeroptera, Amphipoda, and Hirudinea were conspicuously absent from high-arsenic lakes. These particular organisms may be more susceptible to the effects of arsenic than others.