Biological Mercury Hotspots in the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada
David C. Evers (e-mail: david_evers@briloon.org) work at the BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME 04038.
M. Wing Goodale work at the BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME 04038.
Young-Ji Han is with the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation, Hanover, NH 03755; she can be reached at the Department of Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, Korea.
Charles T. Driscoll is with the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244.
Neil C. Kamman works in the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Water Quality Division, Waterbury, VT 05671.
Kathleen Fallon Lambert is with the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation.
Thomas M. Holsen works at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13676.
Celia Y. Chen is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755.
Thomas A. Clair works for Environment Canada, Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 1G6, Canada.
Thomas Butler works at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Abstract
Biological mercury (Hg) hotspots were identified in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada using a data set of biotic Hg concentrations. Eight layers representing three major taxa and more than 7300 observations were used to locate five biological Hg hotspots and nine areas of concern. The yellow perch and common loon were chosen as indicator species for the human and ecological effects of Hg, respectively. Biological Hg hotspots receive elevated atmospheric Hg deposition, have high landscape sensitivity, and/or experience large reservoir fluctuations. In the Merrimack River watershed, local Hg emissions are linked to elevated local deposition and high Hg concentrations in biota. Time series data for this region suggest that reductions in Hg emissions from local sources can lead to rapid reductions of Hg in biota. An enhanced Hg monitoring network is needed to further document areas of high deposition, biological hotspots, and the response to emissions reductions and other mitigation strategies.
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