Mercury is a pervasive contaminant of streams and lakes, and has resulted in fish consumption advisories in all 50 States. Mercury can travel long distances in the atmosphere and be deposited in watersheds, thus contaminating fish even in areas with no obvious source of mercury pollution. Understanding the source of mercury, and how mercury is transported and transformed within stream ecosystems, can help water resource managers identify which watersheds are most vulnerable to mercury contamination.
For more information:
Please contact Mark Brigham, mbrigham@usgs.gov, (763) 783-3274, if you have questions regarding this report.
A new USGS report summarizes findings from
studies focused on the sources, occurrence, trends and bioaccumulation of
mercury in stream ecosystems across the United States. It highlights the
importance of environmental processes, monitoring, and control strategies for
understanding and reducing stream mercury levels.