Chemical and physical controls on mercury source signatures in stream fish from the northeastern United States
Environmental Science & Technology
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Abstract
Streams in the northeastern U.S. receive mercury (Hg) in varying proportions from atmospheric deposition and legacy point sources, making it difficult to attribute shifts in fish concentrations directly back to changes in Hg source management. Mercury stable isotope tracers were utilized to relate sources of Hg to co-located fish and bed sediments from 23 streams across a forested to urban-industrial land-use gradient within this region. Mass-dependent isotopes (δ202Hg) in prey and game fish at forested sites were depleted (medians -0.95 and -0.83 ‰, respectively) in comparison to fish from urban-industrial settings (medians -0.26 and -0.38 ‰, respectively); the forested site group also had higher prey fish Hg concentrations. The separation of Hg isotope signatures in fish was strongly related to in-stream and watershed land-use indicator variables. Fish isotopes were strongly correlated with bed sediment isotopes, but the comparison of isotopic composition between fish and sediment was variable due to differing ecosystem-specific drivers controlling the extent of MeHg formation. The multivariable approach of analyzing watershed characteristics and stream chemistry reveals that the Hg isotope composition in fish is linked to current and historic Hg sources in the northeastern U.S. and can be used to trace bioaccumulated Hg.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Chemical and physical controls on mercury source signatures in stream fish from the northeastern United States |
| Series title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/acs.est.9b03394 |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue | 17 |
| Year Published | 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Chemical Society |
| Contributing office(s) | New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Texas Water Science Center, Wisconsin Water Science Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 10110 |
| Last page | 10119 |
| Country | United States |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |