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MERCURY IN SEDIMENTS AND FISH FROM NORTH MISSISSIPPI LAKES AND SUBSEQUENT HUMAN HAZARD EVALUATION
Citation:
Huggett, D. B., J. A. Steevens, J. C. Allgood, C. B. Lutken, C. A. Grace, AND W H. Benson. MERCURY IN SEDIMENTS AND FISH FROM NORTH MISSISSIPPI LAKES AND SUBSEQUENT HUMAN HAZARD EVALUATION. SETAC 20th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, 14-18 November 1999.
Description:
Sediments and/or fish were collected from Sardis, Enid and Grenada Lakes, which are located in three different watersheds in North Mississippi, in order to assess mercury contamination. The mean total mercury concentration in sediments from Enid Lake in 1997 was 0.154 mg Hg/kg, while in 1998 sediment concentrations in Sardis, Enid and Grenada Lakes were 0.112, 0.88 and 0.133 mg Hg/kg, respectively. Mean total mercury concentrations in edible fillets of fish collected from Enid Lake in 1998 were above the FDA action level (> 1.0 mg Hg/kg) for bass (1.40), crappie (1.69) and gar (1.89); however, tissue concentrations were less than 1.0 mg Hg/kg in carp (0.63) and catfish (0.82). It is important to note that at least one carp and catfish contained concentrations above 1.0 mg Hg/kg tissue. Human hazard indexes for each species was >= 1 for both adults and children, indicating that there is a potential for toxic effects to occur. In addition, calculated consumption limits indicate that adults may consume 4 to 12 oz. of fish per month, depending on the species consumed. For children, 2 oz. per month may be consumed. No readily apparent source for mercury contamination is present in these agricultural watersheds. Further studies are needed to determine environmental and human health impacts associated with mercury contamination in North Mississippi.