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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Trends in the mercury concentration in largemouth bass, carp, and drum from Kentucky and Pickwick reservoirs, 1970-1979

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6271312· OSTI ID:6271312
Evaluation of the TVA and State of Tennessee data showed a positive relationship between fish age (length) and its mercury content for largemouth bass. An analysis of the mercury data in three-year-old largemouth bass, along with the time-concentration plots for all three species, and the tables showing the percentages of samples exceeding the 1.0 ..mu..g/g FDA guideline, indicated that: The average mercury content in fish downstream from the chlor-alkali plant discharge increased from 1970 to a maximum in 1972 and 1973. The mean mercury concentrations in largemouth bass, carp, and drum from Pickwick and Kentucky Reservoirs have been steadily decreasing since 1973 with concentrations in three-year-old largemouth bass decreasing at an average rate of approximately 0.06 ..mu..g/g per year. The percentage of fish collected with mercury concentrations exceeding 1.0 ..mu..g/g has decreased steadily since 1973 to less than 2 percent in 1978, and in 1979 no fish sampled contained mercury concentrations exceeding the FDA guideline of 1.0 ..mu..g/g. (PSB)
Research Organization:
Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga (USA). Office of Natural Resources
OSTI ID:
6271312
Report Number(s):
TVA/ONR/WR-83/4; ON: DE83902044
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English