Mercury study report to Congress. Volume 6. An ecological assessment for anthropogenic mercury emissions in the United States
In this volume, an ecological assessment for anthropogenic mercury emissions is developed. Exposures of wildlife species to methylmercury through the aquatic food chain are compared with toxicity data calculated in the development of criteria for the protection of fish-eating avian and mammalian wildlife. Descriptions of mercury impacts on biota are provided in the problem formulation chapter. Estimates are provided of mercury deposition on a local scale in areas near emissions point sources. the distributions of selected fish-consuming wildlife species are overlaid with predicted high mercury areas of high concern (e.g., areas with low-pH surface water) and compared with predicted deposition of anthropogenic mercury emissions. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for mercury in fish vary widely. Field data were used to calculate representive mean BAFs for different trophic levels based on dissolved methylmercury. Methylmercury criteria for the protection of piscivorous avian and mammalian wildlife are provided. This volume of the draft Report analyzes sources of variability and uncertainty in these estimates and identifies data that would strengthen the certainty of these findings.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States). Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USEPA
- OSTI ID:
- 575120
- Report Number(s):
- PB-98-124787/XAB; EPA-452/R-97/008; TRN: 80752334
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: DN: See also PB--96-184676, PB--96-184668, PB--98-124779 and PB--98-124795; PBD: Dec 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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