Protocol for monitoring mercury in resident lake fish - Version 1.0: Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network

Bartz, Krista; Junghans, Katie; VanderMeulen, David

Generally, monitoring protocols written for the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program contain a narrative and a supporting set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Data Quality Standards (DQSs). The narrative describes the context and rationale for monitoring, and provides an overview of how the data will be collected, managed, analyzed, and reported. The SOPs are specific step-by-step instructions for performing a given task. The DQSs are an abbreviated quality assurance plan. This protocol outlines a framework for monitoring mercury (Hg) concentrations in resident lake fish within Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN) parks. It is adapted from a broader protocol for monitoring Hg in aquatic organisms, developed by the Great Lakes Network (GLKN; VanderMeulen et al. 2018). The primary goal of this monitoring is to understand the spatial differences, temporal trends, and health ramifications of Hg contamination in resident lake fish from the SWAN. Three objectives will be addressed by this monitoring: 1. assess spatial differences in Hg contamination of resident lake fish, among waterbodies; 2. evaluate temporal trends in Hg contamination of resident lake fish, within waterbodies; and 3. identify waterbodies where Hg contamination of resident lake fish may pose a risk to humans and top predator piscivores by surpassing relevant toxicological benchmarks. For each of these objectives, our monitoring will rely on total Hg in fish axial muscle as an indicator of methyl Hg exposure. It will target four high priority lakes which vary in size, depth, wetland cover, glacial influence, and Hg concentration. The focal species will be lake trout, a widespread, long lived, top predator in SWAN lakes. In short, the SWAN will sample 20 lake trout from all 4 lakes, once every 5 years. Two broad types of data will be generated from this protocol. The first type includes observations and measurements that are recorded on field forms while sampling and processing fish, as well as photographs and coordinates that are taken. The second type includes results of analyses performed by contract laboratories. We will use NPSTORET as the primary data entry tool and data transfer mechanism. After undergoing initial quality assurance/quality control checks, the data will be summarized for each lake. Summaries will include descriptive statistics and simple graphs related to total Hg concentrations. Upon completion of these summaries, data will be subjected to parametric and/or nonparametric analyses, as appropriate, to answer questions related to the objectives for this protocol. Results will be incorporated into synthesis reports and several other means of communication. We will strive to provide clear, concise, and meaningful products in a timely manner. Finally, the estimated annual operating cost for implementing this protocol during sampling years is $26,900 (based on FY2017 dollars). The protocol could be scaled up in the future with additional lakes or analytes, if funding, time, and capacity permit.

Protocol for monitoring mercury in resident lake fish - Version 1.0: Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network

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