Airborne mercury issues detailed on updated NPS Web site
Flanagan C. 2007. Airborne mercury issues detailed on updated NPS Web site. Park Science. 24(2):9
Rising levels of mercury in the global atmosphere and increasing recognition of its effects on ecosystems has raised concerns for mercury impacts on National Park System lands. In aquatic ecosystems, mercury can be readily transformed into bio-available methylmercury, and accumulation of this contaminant in the environment can result in fish consumption advisories and increases of mercury toxicity in predatory animals such as common loons and alligators. Recent studies have also shown that mercury is accumulating in terrestrial ecosystems, with elevated levels of mercury documented in invertebrates, forest songbirds, and mammals across the United States (Schweiger et al. 2006; Evers 2005; Environmental Protection Agency 1997). Abnormally high levels of mercury ultimately lead to reduced reproductive success, impaired growth and development, behavioral abnormalities, reduced immune response, and decreased survival. In response to these concerns, the Air Resources Division of the National Park Service recently updated its airborne mercury Web site to include several new information products that are now available for use.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Flanagan, C.
- Units
- ARD
- Keywords
- ARD_Park-Air-Info_Collection, Contaminants, Deposition, Mercury, Toxics