Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Interrelationships between Fish Tissue Mercury Concentrations and Water Quality for South Dakota Natural Lakes and Impoundments

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether water quality parameters commonly associated with primary productivity may be used to predict the susceptibility of a specific water body to exceed proposed fish consumption advisory limitation of 0.3 mg kg−1. South Dakota currently has nine lakes and impoundments that exceed fish tissue mercury advisory limits of 1.0 mg kg−1 total mercury, far exceeding US Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration 0.3 mg kg−1 consumption criteria. Previous studies suggest that increased aquatic productivity may mitigate the effects of biological production and subsequent uptake of methyl mercury through bio-dilution; however, it is uncertain whether these trends may exist within highly alkaline and highly productive aquatic conditions common to South Dakota lakes and impoundments. Water quality parameters and fish tissue mercury data for northern pike and walleye were collected and assessed using existing South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Game Fish and Parks data. The data was initially screened using both parametric linear regression and non-parametric Mann–Whitney rank sum comparisons and further assessed using binary logistic regression and stepwise logistic regression methodology. Three separate phosphorus measurements (total, total dissolved, and Trophic State Index) and pH were determined to significantly correlate with increased mercury concentrations for the northern pike-in-impoundments model. However, phosphorus surprisingly was not a strong predictor for the remaining scenarios modeled. For the northern pike-in-natural lakes models, alkalinity was the most significant water quality parameter predicting increased mercury concentrations. Mercury concentrations for the walleye-in-natural lakes models were further influenced by pH and alkalinity. The water quality and fish tissue mercury interrelationships determined within this study suggest aquatic productivity, and consequential eutrophication processes appear to be reasonable indicators of fish tissue mercury susceptibility for aquatic conditions common to South Dakota and highlight the continuing need to minimize eutrophication through effective watershed management strategies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barkay, T., & Dobler, I. W. (2005). Microbial transformations of mercury: Potentials, challenges, and achievements in controlling mercury toxicity in the environment. In A. I. Laskin, J. W. Bennett, & G. M. Gadd (Eds.), Advances in Applied Microbiology (vol. 57, pp. 337): San Diego: Elsevier Academic Press.

  • Barsanti, L., & Gualtieri, P. (2006). Algae: Anatomy, biochemistry, and biotechnology. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benoit, J. M., Gilmour, C. C., Heyes, A., Mason, R. P., & Miller, C. L. (2003). Geochemical and biological controls over methylmercury production and degradation in aquatic ecosystems. ACS Symposium Series, 835, 262–297.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, C. R. (2007). History of fisheries and fishing in South Dakota: South Dakota Department of Game. Pierre, SD: Fish and Parks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Björnberg, A., Håkanson, L., & Lundbergh, K. (1988). A theory on the mechanisms regulating the bioavailability of mercury in natural waters. Environmental Pollution, 49(1), 53–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chipps, S. R., Wilson, S. K., & Lucchesi, D. O. (2007). Small Impoundments. In C. Berry (Ed.), History of fisheries and fishing in South Dakota (pp. 113–121). Pierre, SD: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cody, R. P., & Smity, J. K. (1997). Applied statistics and the SAS programming language (4th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Compeau, G. C., & Bartha, R. (1985). Sulfate-reducing bacteria: Principal methylators of mercury in anoxic estuarine sediment. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 50(2), 498–502.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Correll, D. L. (1998). The role of phosphorus in the eutrophication of receiving waters: A review. Journal of Environmental Quality, 27(2), 261–266.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, M. L., & Masten, S. J. (2004). Principles of environmental engineering and science. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doemel, W. N., & Brock, T. D. (1976). Vertical distribution of sulfur species in benthic algal mats. Limnology and Oceanography, 21(2), 237–244.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Driscoll, C. T., Han, Y. J., Chen, C. Y., Evers, D. C., Lambert, K. F., Holsen, T. M., et al. (2007). Mercury contamination in forest and freshwater ecosystems in the Northeastern United States. Bioscience, 57(1), 17–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekstrom, E. B., Morel, F. M. M., & Benoit, J. M. (2003). Mercury methylation independent of the acetyl-coenzyme a pathway in sulfate-reducing bacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69(9), 5414–5422.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engstrom, D. R., Thommes, K., Balogh, S. J., Swain, E. B., & Post, H. A. (1999). Trends in Atmospheric Mercury Deposition across Minnesota: Evidence From Dated Sediment Cores From 50 Minnesota Lakes. St. Croix Watershed Research Station Report to Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.

  • EPA. (1997). Mercury study report to congress: Health effects of mercury and mercury compounds, EPA-452/R-97-007. Washington, DC: Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards and Office of Research and Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • EPA (1998). South Florida Ecosystem Assessment: Final Technical Report - Phase I, EPA-904-R-98-002. Science and Ecosystem Support Division Region 4 and Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC.

  • EPA (2001). Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury. EPA-823-R-01-001. Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water, Washington, DC.

  • Gilmour, C. C., Henry, E. A., & Mitchell, R. (1992). Sulfate stimulation of mercury methylation in freshwater sediments. Environmental Science & Technology, 26(11), 2281–2287.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield, B. K., Hrabik, T. R., Harvey, C. J., & Carpenter, S. R. (2001). Predicting mercury levels in yellow perch: use of water chemistry, trophic ecology, and spatial traits. Canadian Journal of Fish and Aquatic Science, 58, 1419–1429.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grieb, T. M., Driscoll, C. T., Gloss, S. P., Schofield, C. L., Bowie, G. L., & Porcella, D. B. (1990). Factors affecting mercury accumulation in fish in the upper Michigan peninsula. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 9(7), 919–930.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, L. J. (1989). Water Resources of Brookings and Kingsbury Counties, South Dakota. US Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 88–4185. Huron, SD.

  • Hell, R., & Leustek, T. (2005). Sulfur metabolism in plants and algae—A case study for an integrative scientific approach. Photosynthesis Research, 86(3), 297–298.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, E. A., Dodge-Murphy, L. J., Bigham, G. N., Klein, S. M., & Gilmour, C. C. (1995). Total mercury and methylmercury mass balance in an alkaline, hypereutrophic urban lake (Onondaga Lake, NY). Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 80(1–4), 509–517.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, W. R., Stewart, A. J., & Napolitano, G. E. (1996). Mercury speciation and bioaccumulation in lotic primary producers and primary consumers. Canadian Journal of Fish and Aquatic Science, 53(4), 812–819.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeremiason, J. D., Engstrom, D. R., Swain, E. B., Nater, E. A., Johnson, B. M., Almendinger, J. E., et al. (2006). Sulfate addition increases methylmercury production in an experimental wetland. Environmental Science & Technology, 40(12), 3800–3806.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kannan, K., Smith, J. R. G., Lee, R. F., Windom, H. L., Heitmuller, P. T., Macauley, J. M., et al. (1998). Distribution of total mercury and methyl mercury in water, sediment, and fish from South Florida estuaries. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 34(2), 109–118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, C. A., Rudd, J. M., Cook, R. B., & Schindler, D. W. (1982). The potential importance of bacterial processes in regulating rate of lake acidification. Limnology and Oceanography, 27(5), 868–882.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, C. A., Rudd, J. M., & Holoka, M. H. (2003). Effect of pH on mercury uptake by an aquatic bacterium: Implications for Hg cycling. Environmental Science & Technology, 37(13), 2941–2946.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krabbenhoft, D. P., Wiener, J. G., Brumbaugh, W. G., Olson, M. L., JF, De Wild, & TJ, Sabin. (1999). A national pilot study of mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems along multiple gradients. In D. W. Morganwalp & H. T. Buxton (Eds.), US Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4018B (Vol. 2, pp. 147–160). South Carolina: Charleston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J., & Li, X. (2008). Sulfur cycle in the typical meadow Calamagrostis angustifolia wetland ecosystem in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 20(4), 470–475.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. E., Sawyer, J. F., Fahrenbach, M. D., Tomhave, D. W., & Schulz, L. D. (2004). Geologic Map of South Dakota, General Map 10, South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

  • McMurtry, M. J., Wales, D. L., Scheider, W. A., Beggs, G. L., & Dimond, P. E. (1989). Relationship of mercury concentrations in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) to the physical and chemical characteristics of Ontario lakes. Canadian Journal of Fish and Aquatic Science, 46, 426–434.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Merritt, K. A., & Amirbahman, A. (2007). Mercury dynamics in sulfide-rich sediments: Geochemical influence on contaminant mobilization within the Penobscot River estuary, Maine, USA. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 71(4), 929–941.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meyers, P. A. (1994). Preservation of elemental and isotopic source identification of sedimentary organic matter. Chemical Geology, 114(3–4), 289–302.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minitab (1998). Minitab Statistical Software User's Guide 2: Data Analysis and Quality Tools (Vol. 12): Minitab, Inc. State College, PA.

  • Mittelbach, G. G., & Persson, L. (1998). The ontogeny of piscivory and its ecological consequences. Canadian Journal of Fish and Aquatic Science, 55, 1454–1465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monson, B. A., & Brezonik, P. L. (1999). Influence of food, aquatic humus, and alkalinity on methylmercury uptake by daphnia magna. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 18(3), 560–566.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moss, B. (1973). The influence of environmental factors on the distribution of freshwater algae: An experimental study: II. The role of ph and the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate system. Journal of Ecology, 61(1), 157–177.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickhardt, P. C., Folt, C. L., Chen, C. Y., Klaue, B., & Blum, J. D. (2002). Algal blooms reduce the uptake of toxic methylmercury in freshwater food webs. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99(7), 4419–4423.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramial, P. S., Rudd, J. W., Furutam, A., & Xun, L. (1985). The effect of pH on methyl mercury production and decomposition in lake sediments. Canadian Journal of Fish and Aquatic Science, 42(4), 685–692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scudder, B. C., Chasar, L. C., Wentz, D. A., Bauch, N. J., Brigham, M. E., Moran, P. W., et al. (2009). Mercury in fish, bed sediment, and water from streams across the United States, 1998–2005. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5109.

  • SD-DENR (2005). Standard Operating Procedures for Field Samplers: Tributary and In-Lake Sampling Techniques, Revision 5.2.2. Water Resources Assistance Program. Pierre, SD.

  • SD-DENR (2007). Whole Fish Collection Procedure (Screening Sampling for Numerous Contaminants). Pierre, SD.

  • Seaburg, K. G., & Moyle, J. B. (1964). Feeding habits, digestive rates, and growth of some Minnesota warmwater fishes. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 93(3), 269–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slowey, A. J., & Brown, G. E. (2007). Transformations of mercury, iron, and sulfur during the reductive dissolution of iron oxyhydroxide by sulfide. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 71(4), 877–894.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suchanek, T. H., Eagles-Smith, C. A., & Harner, E. J. (2008). Is clear lake methylmercury distribution decoupled from bulk mercury loading. Ecological Applications, 18(8), 107–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, C. S., & D'Abramo, L. R. (2008). Managing High pH in Freshwater Ponds. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, SRAC Publication No. 4604

  • Watras, C. J., & Bloom, N. S. (1992). Mercury and methylmercury in individual zooplankton: Implications for bioaccumulation. Limnology and Oceanography, 37(6), 1313–1318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wijnand, H. P., & van de Velde, R. (2000). Mann Whitney/Wilcoxon's nonparametric cumulative probability distribution. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 63(1), 21–28.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winfrey, M. R., & Rudd, J. W. (1990). Environmental factors affecting the formation of methylmercury in low pH lakes. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 9(7), 853–869.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Aaron Larson and Robert Smith of SD DENR for their assistance with data collection. Furthermore, this research was initiated by the late Gene Stueven and completed on his behalf. This research was supported by grants from SD DENR and US EPA Region 8. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies. The USGS South Dakota Coop Unit is jointly supported by the US Geological Survey, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, South Dakota State University, and the Wildlife Management Institute. Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to James J. Stone.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stone, J.J., McCutcheon, C.M., Stetler, L.D. et al. Interrelationships between Fish Tissue Mercury Concentrations and Water Quality for South Dakota Natural Lakes and Impoundments. Water Air Soil Pollut 222, 337–349 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-011-0828-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-011-0828-3

Keywords

Navigation