Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of Mercury Concentrations in Fish from the St. Lawrence River at Cornwall, Ontario: Implications for Monitoring

Fowlie, Adrienne R.; Hodson, Peter V.; Hickey, M. Brian C.

doi:10.3394/0380-1330(2008)34[72:saspom]2.0.co;2

Cited by 28 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…MeHg concentrations in benthic invertebrates are similar among zones with the exception of Zone 3, where average concentrations are about threefold higher than in all other zones. Fowlie et al (2008) found THg concentrations in yellow perch and other sentinel fish are higher in Zone 1 than other zones. The Hg content of yellow perch is linearly related to fish length and is consistently and significantly more contaminated at Zone 1, with concentrations about 2.3-3.6 times higher than at other contaminated and reference zones for a standard length (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Through examination of stable isotope, fish age and biomass data Fowlie et al (2008) determined that the pattern of contamination of fish from the different zones cannot be explained by differences in growth rate, condition factor, diet composition or trophic position. By a process of elimination of the main factors that typically determine Hg concentrations in biota, the cause of Hg contamination is likely a unique source of Hg to biota in Zone 1.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additional research was required because elevated Hg concentrations in yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and other sentinel fish species have been found in Zone 1, the upstream contaminated site . In addition, Hg concentrations in adult walleye (Sander vitreus) from Lake St. Francis, the portion of the river downstream of the Moses-Saunders dam and the historical industrial Fowlie et al, 2008). Zones 1, 2 and 3 contain contaminated sediment, and Zones 4 and 5 serve as reference zones.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…This report summarizes research to examine pathways for mercury transfer from sediments via the food chain to fish and to determine if there is significant Hg transfer from these contaminated sediments. THg and MeHg concentrations were measured in surface water and suspended solids, stormwater, zooplankton, amphipods, fish prey (stomach contents) and fish (yellow perch) and have been compared with published data on sediments (Delongchamp et al, 2009a, b) and detailed studies on spatial and temporal patterns of Hg accumulation in fish (Choy et al, 2008;Fowlie et al, 2008). While our work focused on the St. Lawrence River, these investigations outline approaches to investigate Hg fate and transport in aquatic food webs that are relevant to other aquatic ecosystems, particularly major rivers where high flow rates physically structure ecosystems by controlling sedimentation and contaminant distribution.…”

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Potential causes of enhanced transfer of mercury to St. Lawrence River Biota: implications for sediment management strategies at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

et al. 2009

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We examined factors and pathways involved in the transfer of mercury (Hg) to the food web in St. Lawrence River embayments near Cornwall, Ontario, where natural remediation of contaminated sediments (eventual burial by settling of cleaner sediments) has been adopted as a management strategy. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from one of the study zones (Zone 1) along the river by Cornwall contained significantly higher total mercury (THg) concentrations than perch from other equally contaminated zones. While THg concentrations in benthic invertebrates did not vary among contaminated zones, THg concentrations in yellow perch and invertebrate prey recovered from the perch stomachs were 1.5-2.5 times higher in Zone 1 than those from other zones, suggesting that prey selection affects THg accumulation more than habitat location. No significant differences were found in THg concentrations among different prey species within Zone 1, although there were significant differences in THg concentrations in the same prey species within Zone 1. In contrast, THg concentrations among different prey species increased significantly with trophic level in other contaminated and reference zones. The lack of correspondence between trophic position and THg accumulation in Zone 1 suggests two possibilities: (1) yellow perch in Zone 1 are highly mobile and are assimilating THg from a wide range of prey across Zone 1 with variable THg concentrations and (2) there may be an important non-dietary source of THg to the Zone 1 food web. Potential waterborne Hg sources to Zone 1 were investigated. Whereas THg and MeHg values in discharges from a disused canal were similar to Zone 1 surface water values (0.97 and 0.04 ng l -1 , respectively), concentrations in storm sewer and combined sewer overflows discharging in the vicinity of Zone 1 were 19-45-fold (THg) and 2-4-fold (MeHg) higher than upstream river water. Contributions of Hg to the water column from sediment-water diffusion, estimated using a simple, well-mixed reactor model, ranged 0.05-0.1% of the surface water THg concentration and 1-2% of the MeHg concentration measured in summer months in Zone 1. Although not investigated in the other zones, a strong correlation (r 2 = 0.82) was found between Guest editors: M. Power, J.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Potential causes of enhanced transfer of mercury to St. Lawrence River Biota: implications for sediment management strategies at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

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“…Another problem with detecting increases in contaminants from industrial sources is that the contaminated sediments in rivers are usually deposited in fairly localized areas. If those depositional areas are frequently used by fish, a 'hotspot' for contaminant impact occurs (Choy et al 2008;Fowlie et al 2008). Unfortunately, due to inadequate monitoring, in the Athabasca River the correspondence between depositional areas for contaminants and fish habitat is still poorly known.…”

Section: Polycyclic Aromatic Compoundsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geoscience of Climate and Energy 12. Water Quality Issues in the Oil Sands Region of the Lower Athabasca River, Alberta

Schindler

2013

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I summarize the controversies about industrial pollutants in freshwaters near the oil sands industrial area of Alberta, the inadequacies in environmental monitoring that have led to widespread misconceptions, and recent attempts to correct the problems. Adequate data are available to show that mercury, other trace metals, and polycyclic aromatic compounds are being added by industry to the Athabasca river system and its watershed, although the relative contributions of industrial development and natural sources remain in question. Recent improvements in water monitoring by Environment Canada show promise of resolving the controversies, although independent governance for Canada’s and Alberta’s water monitoring programs in the lower Athabasca River will be necessary to rebuild public confidence in the data and their interpretation by government and industry. I document one success story in the Athabasca River: the elimination of dioxins from pulp mills in the mid-1990s has caused a consumption advisory for fish in the river to be repealed.SOMMAIREJe présente ci-dessous un résumé des controverses concernant les polluants industriels dans les eaux douces à proximité de la zone industrielle des sables bitumineux de l'Alberta, des lacunes dans la surveillance des milieux de vie à l’origine d’idées fausses répandues, et de récentes tentatives visant à corriger les problèmes. Des données adéquates démontrent que l’industrie ajoute du mercure et d'autres métaux traces ainsi que des composés aromatiques polycycliques dans le système fluvial de la rivière Athabasca et dans son bassin versant, bien que les contributions relatives provenant de ces activités industrielles et de sources naturelles demeurent toujours en litige. De récentes améliorations apportées au contrôle des eaux par Environnement Canada permettent d’espérer une résolution des controverses, mais l’application d’une gouvernance indépendante des programmes de contrôle de l'eau de l'Alberta du Canada dans la partie inférieure du fleuve Athabasca sera nécessaire pour rétablir la confiance de la population à l’égard des données présentées et de leur interprétation par le gouvernement et l'industrie. Je décrie l’histoire d’une intervention réussie dans la rivière Athabasca, soit l'élimination de dioxines provenant des usines de pâte du milieu des années 1990 et qui a abouti à l’abrogation d’un avis de limitation de la consommation de poisson dans la rivière.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12789/geocanj.2013.40.012

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Ebullition rates and mercury concentrations in St. Lawrence river sediments and a benthic invertebrate

Razavi

Ridal

Wit

et al. 2013

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Abstract-Ebullition, the release of gas from anaerobic decomposition in sediments, was recorded in a mercury-contaminated depositional zone (Zone 1) of the St. Lawrence River Area of Concern in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. The aim of the present study was to test if this disturbance affected the bioavailability of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in surficial sediments to a benthic invertebrate (Echinogammarus ischnus). Ebullition rates ranged from <1 to 2,800 ml/m 2 daily, with methane gas comprising 29 to 84% of the total. No direct effects of ebullition were found on either abiotic (sediment or pore water THg or MeHg concentrations) or biotic (amphipod THg or MeHg concentrations) variables measured. Instead, amphipod MeHg concentrations were best predicted by pore water THg and MeHg concentrations, organic matter of surficial sediments, and water depth and location. Trend surface analyses demonstrated that a shallow, southwestern part of Zone 1 was most contaminated with pore water mercury, which decreased in a gradient toward the northeast. Further study is needed to determine if the amount of sediment resuspended by ebullition affects the spatial distribution of mercury. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:857-865. # 2013 SETAC

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Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of Mercury Concentrations in Fish from the St. Lawrence River at Cornwall, Ontario: Implications for Monitoring

Cited by 28 publications

References 26 publications

Potential causes of enhanced transfer of mercury to St. Lawrence River Biota: implications for sediment management strategies at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

Potential causes of enhanced transfer of mercury to St. Lawrence River Biota: implications for sediment management strategies at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

Geoscience of Climate and Energy 12. Water Quality Issues in the Oil Sands Region of the Lower Athabasca River, Alberta

Ebullition rates and mercury concentrations in St. Lawrence river sediments and a benthic invertebrate

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