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BACKGROUND
Mercury is an element that occurs in our environment naturally and also as a result of human activity. Mercury is released into the air when rocks erode from weathering, when volcanoes erupt, and when soils decompose. Mercury is also released into the air when coal is burned. Mercury particles attach themselves to dirt, dust, and water particles that enter lakes and other bodies of water when it rains, snows, and from runoff.
Mercury is found in nearly all bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Lakes and wetlands are more likely to contain bacteria that changes the mercury into a form easily absorbed into fish and other organisms.
BLUEGILL CRAPPIE PERCH
NORTHERN PIKE LARGEMOUTH BASS WALLEYE
Generally, larger predatory fish like walleyes, bass, pike, and muskies are more likely to have higher mercury levels compared to smaller fish like perch, crappies, bluegills, and other smaller fish species. This is a result of biomagnification. Biomagnification is the increase in a contaminants concentration as it climbs the food chain.
Fish absorb the mercury directly or by eating other contaminated fish or organisms. The mercury accumulates in the muscle tissue of the fish, which is the part that animals and humans eat. Consumption advice is generally issued when a fish reaches .05 parts per million of mercury.
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