Mercury Deposition Network – Mercury Analytical Bob Brunette and David Gay National Atmospheric Deposition Program Mercury Deposition Network [email protected][email protected]Atmospheric Mercury Deposition In The Pacific Northwest Mercury Deposition Network
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Mercury Deposition Network – Mercury Analytical Laboratory Bob Brunette and David Gay National Atmospheric Deposition Program Mercury Deposition Network.
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Atmospheric Transport and Deposition Of Mercury To Water Bodies Is Dominant
Pathway Input Of Mercury To Water Bodies
“Between 40%-75% is likely by wet deposition”
(Sorensen et al., 1997; Scherbatskoy et al., 1997; Lamborg et al., 1995; Mason et al., 1997; Landis and Keeler, 2002; Mercury 2006 Committee Statement)
State and provincial fish consumption advisories have increased to include:
• 4,249 advisories in 50 states which represent:- 16 Million Lake Acres- 1 Million River Miles- 42% of the Nations coastal waters and - 100% of the Great Lakes
Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment ProjectNational Park Service (2002-2007)
7 Ecosystems Monitored Across Western US (Including Hoh Rainforest National Park)
Contaminants Tended To Accumulate At Higher Elevations
Some Of The Highest Hg Concentrations In Fish At High Alpine Lakes
Although Hg Deposition Relatively Low In Pacific Northwest Arctic Parks
“In-Lake Biological processes vary among lakes/eco-regions and likely contributes to higher rates of mercury bio-accumulation in Fish”
“Mercury concentrations in fish exceeded contaminant health thresholds for fish-eating wildlife at various parks
“Sources are from as far away as Europe and Asia and as near as the local county.....(some study locations have) “deposition is primarily influenced by global atmospheric transport”
The consistent cold temperatures and large amount of precipitation in the Olympic and Cascade ranges of Washington State are thought to enhance atmospheric deposition of contaminants.
Mercury was detected in trout from all lakes sampled (15 to 262 μg/kg ww)
median total and methyl mercury were 30.4 and 0.34 μg/kg dry (ww),
our results suggest that local urban areas contribute to the observed contaminant patterns in these high elevation lakes,
Evidence that mercury disrupts genetic information in fish
27 Lakes Samples (177 Fish) 1 Fish Exceeded EPA Human Health (0.3 mg/Kg) 54% Exceeded ODEQ Tissue Residue Critieria (0.04 mg/Kg) 25-68% Exceeded Levels For Mink and Kingfisher “Total Hg May Be Present In These Lakes At Levels
How Much Mercury In Wet Deposition Will Impact Our Area?
Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment ProjectNational Park Service (2002-2007)
Although Hg Deposition Relatively Low In Pacific Northwest Parks
“In-Lake Biological processes vary among lakes/eco-regions and likely contributes to higher rates of mercury bio-accumlation in Fish”
“Sources are from as far away as Europe and Asia and as near as the local county.....(some study locations have) “deposition is primarily influenced by global atmospheric transport”
Mercury Regulations UpdateUNEP Global Mercury Emissions Treaty- Since Fall 2013 Technical Meeting- 140 Countries, Legally Binding- Deals with world-wide emissions and discharges of a pollutant that threatens the health of millions,- Agreed risk to human health and environment was so significant that accelerated action needed - Toxic, persistent and subject to long-range transport - High levels of mercury in certain fish / human health concern
Low Mercury Deposition Rates Does Not Equate To Low Hg In Fish
High Hg Deposition Rates Should Occur With High Precip Volume (Rainer / Olympic however no sites to measure)
• In-Lake Biological processes vary among lakes/eco-regions and likely contributes to higher rates of mercury bio-accumulation in Fish – NPS
Pending Mercury Emissions Regulations > The MDN is the only national wet deposition monitoring network in place> Opportunity to measure baseline before potential reductions occur
Mercury Is Transported Long Distances > WA03 / Olympic NP / Rainer NP / Oregon
Jaffe, Daniel et al, Export of Atmospheric Mercury From Asia (2005), Atmospheric Environment, 39: 3029-3038
> WA03 Key North American Input Location > NPS WAPAC Report
Washington 03 (Makah Nation) upwind of all US sources; Asian input, national background. Currently Unfunded.
High Elevation WA/OR we are predicting some of the highest deposition levels in the country; fish concentrations in these regions are also considered correspondingly high (WACAP, USGS, other)
State of Oregon - no coverage since OR01 and OR10 have stopped
State of Idaho - no coverage since ID03 has been stopped Important Effect Of Increase In Hg Emissions (East Asia) and
Upcoming US Based Reductions = Critical To Monitor Now