MERGANSER: an empirical model to predict fish and loon mercury in New England lakes
Environmental Science & Technology
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Abstract
MERGANSER (MERcury Geo-spatial AssessmeNtS for the New England Region) is an empirical least-squares multiple regression model using mercury (Hg) deposition and readily obtainable lake and watershed features to predict fish (fillet) and common loon (blood) Hg in New England lakes. We modeled lakes larger than 8 ha (4404 lakes), using 3470 fish (12 species) and 253 loon Hg concentrations from 420 lakes. MERGANSER predictor variables included Hg deposition, watershed alkalinity, percent wetlands, percent forest canopy, percent agriculture, drainage area, population density, mean annual air temperature, and watershed slope. The model returns fish or loon Hg for user-entered species and fish length. MERGANSER explained 63% of the variance in fish and loon Hg concentrations. MERGANSER predicted that 32-cm smallmouth bass had a median Hg concentration of 0.53 μg g-1 (root-mean-square error 0.27 μg g-1) and exceeded EPA's recommended fish Hg criterion of 0.3 μg g-1 in 90% of New England lakes. Common loon had a median Hg concentration of 1.07 μg g-1 and was in the moderate or higher risk category of >1 μg g-1 Hg in 58% of New England lakes. MERGANSER can be applied to target fish advisories to specific unmonitored lakes, and for scenario evaluation, such as the effect of changes in Hg deposition, land use, or warmer climate on fish and loon mercury.
Suggested Citation
Shanley, J.B., Moore, R., Smith, R.A., Miller, E.K., Simcox, A., Kamman, N., Nacci, D., Robinson, K., Johnston, J.M., Hughes, M.M., Johnston, C., Evers, D., Williams, K., Graham, J., King, S., 2012, MERGANSER: an empirical model to predict fish and loon mercury in New England lakes: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 46, no. 8, p. 4641-4648, https://doi.org/10.1021/es300581p.
ISSN: 1520-5851 (online)
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | MERGANSER: an empirical model to predict fish and loon mercury in New England lakes |
| Series title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/es300581p |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Publication Date | March 26, 2012 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ACS Publications |
| Publisher location | Washington, D.C. |
| Contributing office(s) | New Hampshire-Vermont Water Science Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Environmental Science and Technology |
| First page | 4641 |
| Last page | 4648 |
| Country | United States |
| Other Geospatial | New England |