Spatial and temporal patterns in mercury contamination in sediments of the Laurentian Great Lakes

Märvin, Chris H.; Painter, S. L.; Rossmann, Ronald

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2003.09.007

Cited by 85 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…amount deposited in a given area per year) increased from the late 1800s to a peak in 1946, and then declined through 1994 (the most recent data point in the study) (Rossmann 2010). In another study, Hg contamination in Lake Michigan surficial sediments declined from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s, with similar trends observed for the other Great Lakes (Marvin et al 2004). Comprehensive monitoring of contaminants in Great Lakes biota did not begin until the early 1970s with programs such as the Canadian Wildlife Service's herring gull monitoring program.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Retrospective analysis of mercury content in feathers of birds collected from the state of Michigan (1895–2007)

et al. 2011

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Museum specimens were used to analyze temporal trends in feather mercury (Hg) concentrations in birds collected from the state of Michigan between the years 1895 and 2007. Hg was measured in flank and secondary feathers from three species of birds that breed in the Great Lakes region; common terns (n = 32), great blue herons (n = 35), and herring gulls (n = 35). More than 90% of the Hg in feathers should be organic, but some of the heron and gull feathers collected prior to 1936 showed evidence of contamination with inorganic Hg, likely from museum preservatives. The data presented here therefore consist of organic Hg in pre-1936 samples and total Hg in post-1936 samples. Insufficient tissue was available from terns to assess organic Hg content. Mean Hg concentrations ranged from 2.9 ± 2.5 μg/g Hg in tern flank feathers to 12.4 ± 10.6 μg/g Hg in gull flank feathers. No linear trend of Hg contamination over time was detected in herons and gulls. Though a significant decrease was noted for terns, these data are presented with caution given the strong likelihood that earlier samples were preserved with inorganic mercury. When data were separated into 30-year intervals, Hg content in heron and gull feathers collected from birds sampled between 1920 and 1949 were consistently highest but not to a level of statistical significance. For example, Hg concentrations in gull secondary feathers collected in the second time interval (1920-1949) were 11.5 ± 7.8. This value was 67% higher than the first time interval (1890-1919), 44% higher than the third interval (1950-1979), and 187% higher than the fourth interval (1980-2009). Studies on Great Lakes sediments also showed greatest Hg accumulations in the mid-twentieth century. Through the use of museum specimens, these results present a unique snapshot of Hg concentrations in Great Lakes biota in the early part of the twentieth century.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Retrospective analysis of mercury content in feathers of birds collected from the state of Michigan (1895–2007)

et al. 2011

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“…Temporal trends in [Tot-Hg] in Lake Ontario coho and chinook salmon also correspond well with trends in dated sediment profiles, such that [Hg] and deposition rates were highly variable in sediment layers corresponding to the late1960s through 1998, with overall concentration reductions during the period being minimal with respect to progression toward baseline values (e.g., Marvin et al 2004). On a finer scale, the exponential declines in [Hg] observed in fish from Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie during the early 1970s (above) occurred when Hg accumulation rates in Lake Ontario bottom sediments were changing in a downward trajectory (Pirrone et al 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Long‐term changes in legacy trace organic contaminants and mercury in Lake Ontario salmon in relation to source controls, trophodynamics, and climatic variability

French

Campbell

Jackson

et al. 2006

Limnology & Oceanography

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“…For example, Marvin et al (2004) found that lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior exhibited the lowest concentrations (\0.089 lg/g). The highest concentrations 1979-2009 30 5 1981-2009 28 5 1982-2009 27 6 1983-2009 26 9 1984-2009 25 11 1989-2009 20 12 1994-2009 15 15 1999-2009 10 15 were found in western Lake Erie and Lake Ontario ([0.401 lg/g).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Anthropogenic emissions of mercury in North America increased rapidly from the 1900s to the 1970s, with approximately 1/3 released in the Great Lakes region (Pirrone et al 1998). Spatial patterns of mercury concentrations in surficial sediments in the Great Lakes have been identified (Marvin et al 2004). Numerous studies of Hg in fish have been carried out on the Great Lakes (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current concentrations and spatial and temporal trends in mercury in Great Lakes Herring Gull eggs, 1974–2009

et al. 2011

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Current concentrations and spatial and temporal trends of total mercury (Hg) were assessed in eggs of the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) over the period 1974-2009 at 15 sites in the Great Lakes: 2-3 sites per lake and one site in each of 3 connecting channels. Current (2009) concentrations ranged from 0.064 μg/g (wet weight) at Chantry Island (Lake Huron) to 0.246 μg/g at Middle Island (Lake Erie). There were significant inter-colony differences in mean Hg concentrations (2005-2009). Mercury concentrations at 14 of 15 sites declined from 23 to 86% between when it was first measured (usually 1974) and 2009. Declining temporal trends over the entire period (1974-2009) were significant at 10 of the 15 sites. On the other hand, there were no significant trends in mercury over the last 15 years. In the early years, declines of Hg in Herring Gull eggs tracked those in Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) in most Great Lakes. More recently, declines in gull eggs were more evident than in smelt and may be partially explained by temporal changes in the gull diet. When gull Hg data were adjusted for temporal changes in the gull diet, as inferred from stable nitrogen isotope values in eggs, significant declines in egg mercury levels were found only at 4 of 15 sites. Overall, Hg concentrations have declined in Great Lakes Herring Gull eggs over the period 1974-2009 but changes in the gull diet may be contributing, in part, to those declines. Examination of contaminant temporal trends in multiple indicator species will ensure accurate inferences regarding contaminant availability in the environment.

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Spatial and temporal patterns in mercury contamination in sediments of the Laurentian Great Lakes

Cited by 85 publications

References 30 publications

Retrospective analysis of mercury content in feathers of birds collected from the state of Michigan (1895–2007)

Retrospective analysis of mercury content in feathers of birds collected from the state of Michigan (1895–2007)

Long‐term changes in legacy trace organic contaminants and mercury in Lake Ontario salmon in relation to source controls, trophodynamics, and climatic variability

Current concentrations and spatial and temporal trends in mercury in Great Lakes Herring Gull eggs, 1974–2009

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