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Data Series 307

National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Toxic Substances Hydrology Program

Data on Mercury in Water, Bed Sediment, and Fish from Streams Across the United States, 1998–2005

By Nancy J. Bauch, Lia C. Chasar, Barbara C. Scudder, Patrick W. Moran, Kerie J. Hitt, Mark E. Brigham, Michelle A. Lutz, and Dennis A. Wentz

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) and Toxic Substances Hydrology Programs conducted the National Mercury Pilot Study in 1998 to examine relations of mercury (Hg) in water, bed sediment and fish in streams across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Water and bed-sediment samples were analyzed for total Hg (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), and other constituents; fish were analyzed for THg. Similar sampling was conducted at additional streams across the country in 2002 and 2004–05. This report summarizes sample collection and processing protocols, analytical methods, environmental data, and quality-assurance data for stream water, bed sediment, and fish for these national studies. To extend the geographic coverage of the data, this report also includes four regional USGS Hg studies conducted during 1998–2001 and 2004. The environmental data for these national and regional Hg studies are provided in an electronic format.

First posted August 20, 2009

For additional information contact:

Nancy J. Bauch
303 236-4882 x231
USGS Colorado Water Science Center
Box 25046, MS 415
Denver, CO 80225

Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.


Suggested citation:

Bauch, N.J., Chasar, L.C., Scudder, B.C., Moran, P.W., Hitt, K.J., Brigham, M.E., Lutz, M.A., and Wentz, D.A., 2009, Data on mercury in water, bed sediment, and fish from streams across the United States, 1998–2005: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 307, 33 p.



Contents

Foreword

Abstract

Introduction

Data Collection

Site Selection

Sample Collection and Processing

Stream-Water Sample Collection

Stream-Water Sample Processing

Bed-Sediment Sample Collection

Bed-Sediment Sample Processing

Fish Sampling and Processing

Analytical Methods

Stream Water

Bed Sediment

Fish

Quality Assurance

Quality of Water and Bed-Sediment Data

Blanks

Replicates

Quality of Fish Data

Ancillary Data

Geographic Information

Basin Hydrologic Estimates

Mercury Source Estimates

Acknowledgments

References Cited

Appendixes

Appendix Data

Appendix 1. Water and sediment sample data

Appendix 2. Field-blank sample data

Appendix 3. Field-replicate sample data

Appendix 4. Fish data

Appendix 5. Ancillary data


Appendix 1. Water and sediment sample data. Mercury and methylmercury sample data for water and streambed sediment, including field parameters and additional water-quality analytes, collected during 1998–2005 at stream and river sampling sites. The Excel file can be accessed at ds307_Appendix01.xls. The .csv files can be accessed at ds307_Appendix01.notes.csv and ds307_Appendix01.data.csv.

Appendix 2. Field-blank sample data. Feld-blank sample data for mercury and methylmercury in water, and additional water-quality analytes. The Excel file can be accessed at ds307_Appendix02.xls. The .csv files can be accessed at ds307_Appendix02.notes.csv and ds307_Appendix02.data.csv.

Appendix 3. Field-replicate sample data. Field-replicate sample data for mercury and methylmercury in water and streambed sediment, and additional water-quality analytes. The Excel file can be accessed at ds307_Appendix03.xls. The .csv files can be accessed at ds307_Appendix03.notes.csv and ds307_Appendix03.data.csv.

Appendix 4. Fish data. Mercury sample data, including physical characteristics and additional sample information, for fish collected during 1998–2005 at stream and river sampling sites. The Excel file can be accessed at ds307_Appendix04.xls. The .csv files can be accesssed at ds307_Appendix04.notes.csv and ds307_Appendix04.data.csv.

Appendix 5. Ancillary data. Selected data for geographic information, basin hydrologic estimates, and mercury source estimates for basins upstream from most study sites. The Excel file can be accessed at ds307_Appendix05.xls. The .csv files can be accessed at ds307_Appendix05.notes.csv and ds307_Appendix05.data.csv.

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