Citation:

Kamman, N., C. T. Driscoll, B. Estabrook, D. Evers, AND E. K. Miller. BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF MERCURY IN VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE LAKES: AN ASSESSMENT OF MERCURY IN WATER, SEDIMENT, AND BIOTA OF VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE LAKES - COMPREHENSIVE FINAL PROJECT REPORT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 2004.

Impact/Purpose:

To improve the scientific understanding of the linkage between fish methylmercury and ambient mercury in the environment.

To complete a model for transformation and bioaccumulation of mercury than can be linked with models for atmospheric deposition and hydrology to yield a multimedia integrated modeling system capable of quantifying regional exposure to mercury.

To apply state of the art watershed and water body modeling to assess exposures to mercury for impacted aquatic ecosystems.

Description:

This report summarizes findings of a three-year field study of mercury in freshwater lakes of Vermont and New Hampshire. The study was undertaken jointly by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and Syracuse University. The study was designed specifically to determine the generalized level of mercury contamination in sediment, water, and biota of multiple trophic levels across the VT-NH region, using a geographically randomized approach. This type of approach ensures that results provide a statistically valid representation of regionwide conditions. In this summary, average mercury concentrations are provided for several types of measurements, along with the 95% confidence intervals. Results of data analyses are highlighted, and interpretations that carry significant management implications are discussed. Measured values are discussed in light of currently available guidelines or water quality criteria. This study also evaluated the accumulation of Hg in the tissues of lake fish and wildlife.

Record Details: