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FATE AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MERCURY INTRODUCED INTO ARTIFICIAL STREAMS
Citation:
Kania, H., R. Knight, AND R. Beyers. FATE AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MERCURY INTRODUCED INTO ARTIFICIAL STREAMS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-76/060 (NTIS PB258833), 1976.
Description:
Mercuric ion was continuously input to artificial stream channels to provide water concentrations of 0.01, 1.0, and 5.0 micrograms/l. Channel components were periodically sampled for total mercury analyses. The effects of mercury on the algal components of the periphyton communities and on the benthic insects were determined. The sampling program continued one full year after mercury inputs were stopped. Approximately 15% of the added mercury was removed from the water. The community components acquired very high concentrations of mercury, although in most cases the levels in these were not a linear function of the water levels. Concentrations in invertebrates decreased most rapidly after mercury inputs were stopped while the sediment levels decreased most slowly.