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Mercury assessment and monitoring protocol for the Bear Creek Watershed, Colusa County, California

Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5018
Prepared for the Bureau of Land Management
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20105018

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Abstract

This report summarizes the known information on the occurrence and distribution of mercury (Hg) in physical/chemical and biological matrices within the Bear Creek watershed. Based on these data, a matrix-specific monitoring protocol for the evaluation of the effectiveness of activities designed to remediate Hg contamination in the Bear Creek watershed is presented. The monitoring protocol documents procedures for collecting and processing water, sediment, and biota for estimation of total Hg (TotHg) and monomethyl mercury (MMeHg) in the Bear Creek watershed. The concurrent sampling of TotHg and MMeHg in biota as well as water and sediment from 10 monitoring sites is designed to assess the relative bioavailability of Hg released from Hg sources in the watershed and identify environments conducive to Hg methylation. These protocols are designed to assist landowners, land managers, water quality regulators, and scientists in determining whether specific restoration/mitigation actions lead to significant progress toward achieving water quality goals to reduce Hg in Bear and Sulphur Creeks.

Suggested Citation

Suchanek, T.H., Hothem, R.L., Rytuba, J.J., Yee, J.L., 2010, Mercury assessment and monitoring protocol for the Bear Creek Watershed, Colusa County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5018, vi, 34 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20105018.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

ISSN: 2328-031X (print)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Mercury assessment and monitoring protocol for the Bear Creek Watershed, Colusa County, California
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2010-5018
DOI 10.3133/sir20105018
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center, Contaminant Biology Program
Description vi, 34 p.
Country United States
State California
County Colusa County
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details