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AN INVESTIGATION OF MERCURY LEVELS IN THE FOOD WEB OF ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK, MICHIGAN: REPORT FOR THE AQUATIC SUBPROJECT, SARGENT AND RICHIE LAKES, SUMMER 1998-99
Citation:
Gorski, P., L. Cleckner, J. P. Hurley, D. E. Armstrong, AND M E. Sierszen. AN INVESTIGATION OF MERCURY LEVELS IN THE FOOD WEB OF ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK, MICHIGAN: REPORT FOR THE AQUATIC SUBPROJECT, SARGENT AND RICHIE LAKES, SUMMER 1998-99. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., 2002.
Description:
Toxic contaminants are one of the most pressing environmental concerns in the Lake Superior Basin. The "Binational Program to Protect and Restore the Lake Superior Basin," a U.S. and Canadian governmental effort established to address this concern, has initially identified nine critical contaminants of concern, including mercury (Hg). Deleterious effects of Hg to humans and wildlife have been widely reported. For wildlife, these impacts include nervous system and kidney damage, reproductive impairment, and mortality; in humans, nervous system and kidney damage, numbness, and mental retardation can result. As an environmental hazard, the toxicity of Hg is second only to dioxin per unit emitted to the atmosphere.
The main goal and focus of the Aquatic Subproject (University of Wisconsin Environmental Chemistry and Technology) within the umbrella of the larger Hg study on the island was to compare Hg concentrations in samples from Sargent Lake, the main study lake, to those in Lake Richie. We proposed to identify factors influencing Hg levels in fish from Sargent Lake. Lake Richie was chosen as a companion lake because it has similar surface area, watershed area, perimeter, and elevation to Sargent, but does not have an Hg advisory for its pike. Richie was therefore used as a reference lake. Our study focused on Hg in the lower food web, water, and sediments, each which may influence Hg concentrations in fish.