Mercury in fish from the Pinchi Lake Region, British Columbia, Canada

Weech, Shari A.; Scheuhammer, Anton M.; Elliott, John E.; Cheng, Kimberly M.

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2004.02.016

Cited by 39 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The dominant form of Hg in fish is usually MeHg, accounting for 72 to 100% of the THg present [83,84]. MeHg bioaccumulation reflects the trophic status of fish species [85], and it is also influenced by the age and size of the fish [86]. The MeHg concentrations of top predatory fish can be three orders of magnitude higher than those at the bottom of the food chain [87].…”

Section: Mercury In Important Food Sources (Fish and Rice)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental mercury in China: A review

Lin

Vogt

Larssen

2012

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

103

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Abstract-Mercury is a global pollutant that can be transported over long distances and can bioaccumulate. Currently, China is the country that contributes most to atmospheric Hg emissions and has the greatest intentional (industrial) use of Hg. Mercury in the Chinese environment is generally elevated, particularly in air and water bodies. Remote areas in China also show elevated Hg levels in air and water bodies compared to other rural regions in the world. Large river estuaries are often heavily affected by upstream industrial sources.

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Section: Mercury In Important Food Sources (Fish and Rice)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental mercury in China: A review

Lin

Vogt

Larssen

2012

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

103

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“…Many past and even current inputs of waterborne Hg sources occur throughout North America and the Northeast. These are related to past improper waste disposal of Hg at weapons facilities (Halbrook et al, 1999), chlor-alkali plants (Fimreite, 1974;Gardner et al, 1978;Barr, 1986;Adair et al, 2003), mercury, gold, and silver mines Henny et al, 2002;Seiler et al, 2004;Weech et al, 2004) and governmental storage facilities (Moore et al, 1999) as well as current inputs from wastewater treatment plants .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns and Interpretation of Mercury Exposure in Freshwater Avian Communities in Northeastern North America

et al. 2005

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Abstract. A large data set of over 4,700 records of avian mercury (Hg) levels in northeastern North America was compiled and evaluated. As Hg emissions remain poorly regulated in the United States and Canada, atmospheric deposition patterns and associated ecological responses continue to elicit interest by landscape managers, conservation biologists, policy makers, and the general public. How avian Hg exposure is interpreted greatly influences decision-making practices. The geographic extent and size of this data set is valuable in understanding the factors that affect the exposure of Hg to birds. Featured are differences found among tissues, major aquatic habitats and geographic areas, between age class and gender, and among species. While Hg concentrations in egg and blood reflect short-term Hg exposure, Hg concentrations in liver and feather provide insight into long-term Hg exposure. Blood is a particularly important matrix for relating site-specific exposure to methylmercury (MeHg). The level of MeHg is generally 5-10x greater in adults compared to nestlings. Age also influences MeHg bioaccumulation, particularly for individuals where MeHg intake exceeds elimination. Gender is of interpretive concern when evaluating Hg exposure for species exhibiting sexual dimorphism and niche partitioning. Based on two indicator species, the belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), we found MeHg availability increased from marine, to estuarine and riverine systems, and was greatest in lake habitats. A large sample of >1,800 blood and egg Hg levels from the common loon (Gavia immer) facilitated a suitable comparison of geographic differences. Although some clusters of highly elevated Hg exposure (i.e., blood levels >3.0 lg/g, ww and egg levels >1.3 lg/g, ww) were associated with hydrological and biogeochemical factors known to increase MeHg production and availability, others were not. Geographic areas without a relationship between Hg exposure and biogeochemical processes were associated with emission or waterborne point sources. Differences in Hg exposure among species are primarily correlated with trophic position and availability of MeHg. Although piscivorous species were repeatedly *To whom correspondence should be addressed: Tel.: 207-839-7600; Fax: 207-839-7655; E-mail: david.evers@briloon.org Ecotoxicology, 14, 193-221, 2005 Ó 2005 shown to have some of the highest MeHg levels of the 38 species analyzed, insectivorous birds in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats (such as montane areas) were also found with elevated MeHg levels. A better understanding of the factors confounding interpretation of Hg exposure provides an effective basis for choice of indicator species and tissues according to 12 selected scenarios. This and the national need for spatiotemporal monitoring of MeHg availability require careful consideration of indicator species choice. Only then will local, regional, continental, and even global monitoring efforts be effective.

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“…Sixth, the availability of coring data from deep (28-177 m) sedimentary strata deposited in the lake as early as 2-to 3-million years before present allows comparison of prehistoric and modern rates of Hg accumulation in the lake bottom (Sims and White 1981, Sims et al 1988, Richerson et al 2008, Suchanek et al 2008d ). Lastly, Clear Lake is representative of many other aquatic ecosystems that are contaminated with Hg from mining sources, such as Pinchi and Stuart lakes in British Columbia, Canada (Lockhart et al 2000, Weech et al 2004, 2006.…”

Section: The Clear Lake Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, calcines (roasted ores), waste rock, and contaminated alluvium from mining sites can release Hg (including methylmercury, MeHg) to the environment for decades or centuries after mining and smelting operations have ceased (Ganguli et al 2000, Hines et al 2000, Rytuba 2000, Covelli et al 2001, Domagalski et al 2004, Gray et al 2004, Lowry et al 2004). Concentrations of MeHg in benthic invertebrates (Ž izˇek et al 2007), fish, and fisheating birds (Gray et al 2000, Weech et al 2004, 2006 are substantially greater in waters affected by Hg mines than in unaffected reference waters. Concentrations of MeHg and TotHg are also substantially elevated in terrestrial plants and wildlife at sites contaminated by historic Hg-mining operations (Gnamusˇand Horvat 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the most Hg-contaminated sediments have been buried under subsequent deposits (Lockhart et al 2000), fish and fish-eating birds sampled from Pinchi Lake in 2001-2002 contained substantially higher concentrations of Hg than fish and birds sampled concurrently from nearby lakes unaffected by Hg-mining activities (Weech et al 2004(Weech et al , 2006. This indicates that Hg from mining operations may continue to be methylated and bioaccumulated as MeHg for decades after Hg-mining operations cease.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Basis for Ecotoxicological Concern in Aquatic Ecosystems Contaminated by Historical Mercury Mining

Wiener

Suchanek

2008

Ecological Applications

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Abstract. The Coast Range of California is one of five global regions that dominated historical production of mercury (Hg) until declining demand led to the economic collapse of the Hg-mining industry in the United States. Calcines, waste rock, and contaminated alluvium from inactive mine sites can release Hg (including methylmercury, MeHg) to the environment for decades to centuries after mining has ceased. Soils, water, and sediment near mines often contain high concentrations of total Hg (TotHg), and an understanding of the biogeochemical transformations, transport, and bioaccumulation of this toxic metal is needed to assess effects of these contaminated environments on humans and wildlife. We briefly review the environmental behavior and effects of Hg, providing a prelude to the subsequent papers in this Special Issue. Clear Lake is a northern California lake contaminated by wastes from the abandoned Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Site. The primary toxicological problem with Hg in aquatic ecosystems is biotic exposure to MeHg, a highly toxic compound that readily bioaccumulates. Processes that affect the abundance of MeHg (including methylation and demethylation) strongly affect its concentration in all trophic levels of aquatic food webs. MeHg can biomagnify to high concentrations in aquatic food webs, and consumption of fish is the primary pathway for human exposure. Fish consumption advisories have been issued for many North American waters, including Clear Lake and other mine-impacted waters in California, as a means of decreasing MeHg exposure. Concerns about MeHg exposure in humans focus largely on developmental neurotoxicity to the fetus and children. Aquatic food webs are also an important pathway for MeHg exposure of wildlife, which can accumulate high, sometimes harmful, concentrations. In birds, wild mammals, and humans, MeHg readily passes to the developing egg, embryo, or fetus, life stages that are much more sensitive than the adult. The papers in this issue examine the origin, transport, transformations, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer of Hg in Clear Lake, assess its potential effects on biota and humans, and provide information relevant to remediation of mine-impacted aquatic ecosystems.

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Mercury in fish from the Pinchi Lake Region, British Columbia, Canada

Cited by 39 publications

References 31 publications

Environmental mercury in China: A review

Environmental mercury in China: A review

Patterns and Interpretation of Mercury Exposure in Freshwater Avian Communities in Northeastern North America

The Basis for Ecotoxicological Concern in Aquatic Ecosystems Contaminated by Historical Mercury Mining

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