The Dragonfly Mercury Project
The Dragonfly Mercury Project
A team of federal, academic, and NGO researchers conducted a national-scale assessment of mercury bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels.
A sampling methodology for citizen scientists allowed the team to complete the most comprehensive assessment of mercury contamination and environmental risk of protected lands to date. Dragonflies were sampled from 100 U.S. national parks and other protected places, including very remote areas. Thirty-two percent of sites had mercury exposure that posed low risk to fish, wildlife, or humans; however, 12 percent of sites had mercury concentrations associated with a high level of impairment risk. Flowing waters – rivers and streams – had higher mercury concentrations than still waters – ponds and lakes. Mercury concentrations in sites bounded by wetlands were 37 percent higher than those without wetlands. The study shows how the nation’s citizenry can be engaged in meaningful research that provides community learning and scientific contributions at an exceptional cost savings compared to more common approaches.
Eagles-Smith, C.A., Willacker Jr., J.J., Nelson, S.J., Flanagan-Pritz, C.M., Krabbenhoft, D.P., Chen, C.Y., Ackerman, J.T., Grant, E.H., Pilliod, D.S., 2020, A national-scale assessment of mercury bioaccumulation in United States National Parks using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels through a citizen-science framework: Environmental Science and Technology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c01255
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Dragonfly Larvae are Effective Bioindicators of Mercury Exposure in Fish and Amphibians—Results of Citizen Science in 100 National Parks and Protected Places
Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
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Dragonfly Larvae are Effective Bioindicators of Mercury Exposure in Fish and Amphibians—Results of Citizen Science in 100 National Parks and Protected Places
Mercury concentrations were measured in dragonfly larvae across more than 450 sites in 100 national parks and protected places as part of a partnership among Federal agencies, academic researchers, and more than 4,000 citizen scientists. Mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae were positively correlated with mercury concentrations in fish and amphibians living in the same aquatic environments...Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
The FRESC Contaminant Ecology research program evaluates the distribution, movement, and ecological effects of environmental contaminants across the landscape and strives to provide relevant science in support of natural resource conservation, management, and decision making. - Data
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