Final Report: Pilot Study of the Ecological Effects of Mercury Deposition in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Nydick K and Williams K. 2010. Final Report: Pilot Study of the Ecological Effects of Mercury Deposition in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. 2010-01. Mountain Studies Institute Report
Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado receives high concentrations and moderate loading of mercury in wet deposition, and several nearby reservoirs have fish consumption advisories for mercury based on mercury levels measured in certain game fish species. This pilot study examined mercury bioaccumulation in wetland songbirds and invertebrates and stream fish and crayfish in Mesa Verde National Park and vicinity. While there was much variability among our results due to species, trophic level, and other factors, the biota sampled in this study do not exhibit high mercury levels compared to contaminated sites with known point sources of mercury pollution, and are not currently at what the ecotoxicological community would consider to be toxic effects levels. It is important to note however, that comparatively little is known about sub-lethal effects of mercury on wildlife.