NPS Fish Mercury Study: Concentrations and Risk in Fish from U.S. National Parks
National Park Service Air Resources Division, National Park Service Water Resources Division, National Park Service Office of Pubic Health, NPS National Resources Office of Communication, U.S. Geological Survey (ed). 2019. NPS Fish Mercury Study: Concentrations and Risk in Fish from U.S. National Parks
Mercury (Hg) emissions to the atmosphere can transport at global scales and subsequently deposit anywhere, including pristine national parks. As Hg accumulates in the ecosystem it can be toxic to natural resources the National Park Service (NPS) is mandated to protect. Possible deleterious effects of Hg include reduced foraging efficiency and reproductive success of wildlife, and the issuance of fish consumption advisories to protect human health. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured Hg concentrations in over 3,900 fish of 51 species from 239 remote lakes and rivers in 55 national parks spanning 32 states. Fish were collected from central and eastern U.S. parks in 2015-2016 and comprise 34 NPS units, while fish from the western U.S. were collected 2008-2012 from 21 NPS units.
- Type
- Generic Document
- Date of Issue
- 2019-05
- Units
- ACAD , ALPO , APCO , BITH , BUFF , CACO , CONG , CUGA , DEWA , EVER , FRSP , GEWA , GRSM , HAFE , HOBE , HOME , INDU , ISRO , JELA , MACA , MISS , MNRR , PETE , RICH , SACN , SHEN , TAPR , THRO , VOYA , WICA
- Keywords
- Eastern Fish Mercury Study, fish, Hg, mercury, National Park Service, national parks, NPS, U.S. Geological Survey, USGS
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Air Quality | Air Contaminants , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Toxics , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes