Mercury in Northern Québec: Role of the mercury agreement and status of research and monitoring

Chevalier, Gaston; Dumont, Charles; Langlois, Claude; Penn, Alan

doi:10.1007/bf02409646

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Louis et al, 2004;Hall et al, 2005). Most work has focused on reservoirs in eastern Canada and the sub-arctic, due to the problems associated with high mercury levels in fish traditionally harvested by native peoples (Chevalier et al, 1997). The watersheds of these reservoirs are predominantly forested, with both soils and vegetation biomass contributing to mercury storage (St. Louis et al, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

High levels of mercury in biota of a new Prairie irrigation reservoir with a simplified food web in Southern Alberta, Canada

Brinkmann

Rasmussen

2010

Hydrobiologia

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This study examined mercury levels in northern pike (Esox lucius) from the Twin Valley Reservoir in southern Alberta, 2 years after construction in 2003. The hypothesis was tested that mercury concentrations in pike from the reservoir are significantly higher than in pike from the nearby Oldman River. Mercury concentrations in muscle tissue (0.37-1.54 ppm) generally exceeded the consumption guideline of 0.5 ppm total mercury (THg), and were significantly higher (3.5-fold) than northern pike mercury concentrations in the Oldman River. In addition, these levels exceeded (up to 2-fold) previously published data from other reservoirs of the northern hemisphere. Gill-netting followed by stomach contents and stable isotope analysis revealed a very simple food web. No zooplanktivorous fish species were present, and the benthic fish community contained only few white sucker (Catostomus commersoni). Thus, the reservoir almost completely lacked forage fish, and the pike fed primarily on amphipods (Gammarus lacustris and Hyalella azteca), whose average mercury concentrations were 0.21 ppm. An observed low growth trajectory of northern pike in this reservoir may reflect low growth efficiency as a result of their invertebrate diet.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

High levels of mercury in biota of a new Prairie irrigation reservoir with a simplified food web in Southern Alberta, Canada

Brinkmann

Rasmussen

2010

Hydrobiologia

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“…The exposure to MeHg of this population is currently very low and the Cree Board of Health and Social Service of James Bay promotes the regular consumption of nonpiscivorous fish, recognising the health benefits derived from fish consumption (Chevalier et al 1997). However, the Hg exposure of workers stationed in the James Bay territory had not been assessed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Based on data from older reservoirs, mercury concentrations in large piscivorous fish are expected to reach background levels 20 to 30 years after flooding. During peak concentrations, large piscivorous fish showed levels of up to 3.5 mg/kg wet weight (w/w), corresponding to seven times the Canadian Standard for fishery products (Chevalier et al 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a Questionnaire-Based Method for the Estimation of Methylmercury Exposure of Recreational Anglers in the James Bay Territory (Québec, Canada)

Loranger¹,

Schetagne

Plante³

et al. 2002

Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal

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The impoundment of reservoirs temporarily increases the methylation of mercury bound to flooded soils and vegetation and the transfer of methylmercury (MeHg) to fish. MeHg levels in various fish species of hydroelectric reservoirs located in the James Bay territory increased by factors of 3 to 7, then gradually declined toward initial concentrations 10 to 20 years after flooding, depending on reservoir characteristics. The potential risk of increased MeHg exposure for recreational anglers who consume fish from these reservoirs had not been assessed previously. A less invasive method than systematic measurement of Hg levels in hair was developed to determine MeHg exposure of recreational anglers. A fish consumption questionnaire-based approach was combined with a toxicokinetic model to estimate the corresponding hair MeHg concentrations. The results were compared with actual analytical determinations of hair Hg levels for the 94 recreational anglers recruited for the study. The values predicted by the model based on selfreporting consumption overestimated actual hair Hg levels by an average factor greater than 6. The mean hair level predicted for the most recent period (September-October) was 23.3 µg·g -1 compared to 3.6 µg·g -1 for the measured value. Al-* Loranger et al.though the questionnaire protocol may certainly be improved to increase the precision of estimations, direct hair Hg measurement remains the more effective means to assess Hg exposure.

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“…In 1997, Chevalier et al [2] reported data on Cree living in Northern Quebec and exposed to fish influenced by the La Grande Reservoir complex. What was seen was that mercury concentration in hair (a marker of mercury exposure) in men and women (40 years old and older) and women between 15 and 39 years of age decreased from 1988 to 1993/94 and this decrease was attributed to a reduction in fish consumption (and/or a switch of the diet from piscivorous fish to non-piscivorous).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As part of the Mercury Agreement, signed by the Government of Quebec, Hydro-Quebec and Northern Quebec Cree communities in response to the La Grande Hydroelectric Complex in Quebec, Canada, an information campaign was undertaken to communicate information about mercury (e.g., fish consumption advisories) to Cree in the area [ 2 , 3 ]. In 1997, Chevalier et al [ 2 ] reported data on Cree living in Northern Quebec and exposed to fish influenced by the La Grande Reservoir complex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of traditional food consumption advisories: Compliance, changes in diet and loss of confidence in traditional foods

McAuley

Knopper

2011

Environ Health

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BackgroundFood consumption advisories are often posted when industrial activities are expected to affect the quality and availability of traditional foods used by First Nations. We were recently involved in a project and asked to summarize details regarding the impacts of traditional food consumption advisories with respect to compliance, broader changes in diet and loss of confidence in traditional foods by people.MethodsOur review was not conducted as a formal systematic comprehensive review; rather, we focused on primary and grey literature presenting academic, health practitioner and First Nations viewpoints on the topic available from literature databases (i.e., PubMed, Web of KnowledgeSM) as well as the internet search engine Google. Some information came from personal communications.ResultsOur overview suggests that when communicated effectively and clearly, and when community members are involved in the process, consumption advisories can result in a decrease in contaminant load in people. On the other hand, consumption advisories can lead to cultural loss and have been linked to a certain amount of social, psychological, nutritional, economic and lifestyle disruption. In some cases, communities have decided to ignore consumption advisories opting to continue with traditional lifestyles believing that the benefits of doing so outweigh the risk of following advisories.ConclusionsWe identified that there are both positive and negative aspects to the issuance of traditional food consumption advisories. A number of variables need to be recognized during the development and implementation of advisories in order to ensure a balance between human health, maintenance of cultures and industrial activity.

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Mercury in Northern Québec: Role of the mercury agreement and status of research and monitoring

Cited by 5 publications

References 4 publications

High levels of mercury in biota of a new Prairie irrigation reservoir with a simplified food web in Southern Alberta, Canada

High levels of mercury in biota of a new Prairie irrigation reservoir with a simplified food web in Southern Alberta, Canada

Evaluation of a Questionnaire-Based Method for the Estimation of Methylmercury Exposure of Recreational Anglers in the James Bay Territory (Québec, Canada)

Impacts of traditional food consumption advisories: Compliance, changes in diet and loss of confidence in traditional foods

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