Mercury concentrations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from five South Carolina reservoirs
JOHN D. PELES1,*, TRAVIS C. GLENN2, HEATHER A. BRANT2,ANGELA K. WALL2 and CHARLES H. JAGOE2
1Pennsylvania State University - McKeesport, 4000 University Drive, McKeesport, PA 15132;
2Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802
Abstract
Mercury concentrations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) bass
were compared among five reservoirs in South Carolina. Three of these
reservoirs (Lake Russell, Lake Thurmond, and Lake Marion) are accessible
to the public and two (L-Lake and Par Pond) are located on the U.S. Department
of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS), which is closed to public access.
Age-adjusted mercury concentrations were significantly higher in SRS bass
compared to the offsite reservoirs. In addition, mercury concentrations
were significantly higher in bass from Par Pond compared to L-Lake and
in bass from Lakes Russell and Thurmond compared to Lake Marion. No mercury
concentrations in excess of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action
level (1.0 mg·kg?1) were found in any bass from the public-accessible
reservoirs. However, the majority of fish from these reservoirs had mercury
concentrations that fall into or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency consumption category of "no more than one per week".
In addition, most fish from these reservoirs had mercury levels in excess
of those believed to be detrimental to sensitive avian species.
Keywords:
mercury, South Carolina, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, southeastern
United
States
* Author for correspondence, e-mail: jdp12@psu.edu; Tel: 412-675-9484, Fax: 412-675-9166
SREL Reprint #3003
Peles, J. D., T. C. Glenn, H. A. Brant, A. K. Wall and C. H. Jagoe. 2006. Mercury concentrations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from five South Carolina reservoirs. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 173:151-162.
