Mercury accumulation by largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in recently impounded reservoirs

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01685984· OSTI ID:5089113

Abernathy, A R ^[1]; Cumbie, P M

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1. Clemson Univ., SC

Mercury levels of largemouth bass from three reservoirs in the southeastern United States were highest in the younger, relatively oligotrophic reservoirs and were significantly lower in an older, more eutrophic reservoir in the same drainage system. The reservoir with the highest mercury levels in bass is the reservoir farthest upstream and is not subject to inputs of municipal or industrial wastes. The source of mercury in these reservoirs appears to be the soil which formed their original sediments. Preliminary data indicate that mercury levels in largemouth bass in these systems decline as the reservoirs age. Elevated mercury levels in fish appear to be a transitory phenomenon in newly impounded, relatively oligotrophic reservoirs.

• OSTI ID: 5089113
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 17:5; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FISHES
MERCURY
METALS
POLLUTION
SOILS
SURFACE WATERS
TIME DEPENDENCE
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION
WATER RESERVOIRS