Mercury and Arsenic Bioaccumulation and Eutrophication in Baiyangdian Lake, China

Abstract

Hg and As are widespread contaminants globally and particularly in Asia. We conducted a field study in Baiyangdian Lake, the largest lake in the North China Plain, to investigate bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of potentially toxic metals (total mercury and arsenic) in sites differing in proximity from the major point sources of nutrients and metals. Hg concentrations in fish and As concentrations in water are above critical threshold levels (US Environmental Protection Agency based) considered to pose some risk to humans and wildlife. Hg concentrations in biota are within the range of concentrations in lakes in the Northeast US despite the high levels of Hg emission and deposition in China whereas As concentrations are much higher. Dissolved concentrations of both Hg and As decrease with increasing chlorophyll concentrations suggesting that there is significant uptake of metal from water by algae. These results provide evidence for algal blooms controlling dissolved metal concentrations and potentially mitigating the trophic transfer of Hg to fish. This study also underscores the need for further investigation into this contaminated ecosystem and others like it in China that are an important source of fish and drinking water for consumption by local human populations.

Spatial and temporal variations of total and methylmercury concentrations in plankton from a mercury‐contaminated and eutrophic reservoir in Guizhou Province, China

“…Although it is known that large amounts of Hg are emitted in China, relatively few studies have been conducted there on the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of Hg in the planktonic food web [28]. The Hg contamination in the Baihua Reservoir originated from discharge from a combination of point and nonpoint sources and from atmosphere deposition.…”

Occurrence of antibiotics in water, sediments, aquatic plants, and animals from Baiyangdian Lake in North China

“…Many pollutants are widespread in Baiyangdian Lake (Chen et al, 2008;Hu et al, 2010;Guo et al, 2011;Pei et al, 2011). However, antibiotic pollution in this area has not been investigated.…”

Distribution of perfluorinated compounds in water, sediment, biota and floating plants in Baiyangdian Lake, China

“…It is critical to the water supply, aquaculture and tourism of the surrounding areas. With rapid economic development and population increase in this region, the environment of Baiyangdian Lake has been significantly polluted by heavy metal, 18 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) 19 and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 20 which are closely linked to the anthropogenic and industrial activities. However, little is known about the PFC pollution in this area.…”