Mercury can adversely affect humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish, particularly by sensitive individuals, such as children and women of childbearing age. Mercury is currently the leading cause of impairment in the Nation’s estuaries and lakes and was cited in nearly 80 percent of fish-consumption advisories (2,242 of 2,838) reported by states in 2000. The geographic extent of mercury advisories covers more than 10 million acres of lakes and more than 400,000 stream miles—increases of about 7 and 48 percent, respectively, over advisories reported in 1998 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002a).
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Title | Mercury in stream ecosystems -- New studies initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs01603 |
| Authors | Mark E. Brigham, David P. Krabbenhoft, Pixie A. Hamilton |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Fact Sheet |
| Series Number | 016-03 |
| Index ID | fs01603 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Minnesota Water Science Center; Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |