U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Park Service (NPS) scientists collaborated in the first study to measure mercury in fish from remote places in 21 National Parks spanning 10 Western States, including Alaska. Mercury levels in fish generally were low, but were elevated in some local areas, including two parks in Utah and Alaska where samples taken from sport fish exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's human health criterion. Results of sample analyses indicate that mercury in the aquatic ecosystems of western national parks is variable and widespread, but in general, the health risk is low for both fish and people.
This research was funded by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology) and the National Park Service's Air Resources Division.
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Mercury in fishes from 21 national parks in the Western United States: inter- and intra-park variation in concentrations and ecological risk
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- Overview
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Park Service (NPS) scientists collaborated in the first study to measure mercury in fish from remote places in 21 National Parks spanning 10 Western States, including Alaska. Mercury levels in fish generally were low, but were elevated in some local areas, including two parks in Utah and Alaska where samples taken from sport fish exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's human health criterion. Results of sample analyses indicate that mercury in the aquatic ecosystems of western national parks is variable and widespread, but in general, the health risk is low for both fish and people.
A National Park Service researcher holds a brook trout in Mount Rainier National Park. Low levels of mercury were found in fish from National Parks in Western States. Photo Credit: Collin Eagles-Smith, USGS. This research was funded by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology) and the National Park Service's Air Resources Division.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this featured science activity.
Mercury in fishes from 21 national parks in the Western United States: inter- and intra-park variation in concentrations and ecological risk
Mercury (Hg) is a global contaminant and human activities have increased atmospheric Hg concentrations 3- to 5-fold during the past 150 years. This increased release into the atmosphere has resulted in elevated loadings to aquatic habitats where biogeochemical processes promote the microbial conversion of inorganic Hg to methylmercury, the bioavailable form of Hg. The physicochemical properties ofAuthorsCollin A. Eagles-Smith, James J. Willacker, Colleen M. Flanagan Pritz - News
Below are news stories associated with this featured science activity.