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MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN SEDIMENT, WATER AND BIOTA COLLECTED FROM NEAR-COASTAL AREAS IMPACTED BY COMMON ESTUARINE STRESSORS
Citation:
Lewis, M A., R L. Quarles, D D. Dantin, AND R S. Stanley. MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN SEDIMENT, WATER AND BIOTA COLLECTED FROM NEAR-COASTAL AREAS IMPACTED BY COMMON ESTUARINE STRESSORS. Presented at American Chemical Society, Special Symposium, Orlando, FL, 4/07-11/2002.
Description:
Mercury concentrations in non-commercial organisms indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico are not well characterized particularly when compared to potential sources. In response to this need, mercury levels were determined in sediment, water and various biota in reference and non-reference coastal areas. Concentrations were analyzed in periphyton, seagrass, oysters, blue crabs and fish collected from areas impacted by urban and agriculture runoff, wastewaters and golf courses. Concentrations in water and sediment were compared to chemical quality criteria for aquatic life and those in biota to seafood consumption limits. Mercury was below
the water quality criterion value in all cases but sediment concentrations did exceed proposed effects-based guidelines in several cases. Mercury was a common tissue contaminant and did exceed consumption limits in some biota. Concentrations in biota ranged from 25 to 1100 ng/g wet wt. Generally, concentrations were greater in coastal areas affected by urban runoff than those collected from areas impacted by agriculture runoff, wastewaters and golf courses.