Mercury accumulation in transplanted Hypogymnia physodes lichens downwind of Wisconsin chlor-alkali plant
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Abstract
Emissions of mercury from a chlor-alkali plant in central Wisconsin have raised concern about possible effects on biota in the area. Samples of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes, which no longer grows in the area, were transplanted from a site in northeastern Wisconsin and positioned on plastic stands at varying distances up to 1250 m from the plant and sampled for Hg quarterly for one year to test the hypothesis that Hg would be taken up by the lichens and would decline with distance. Average tissue concentrations were elevated when first sampled at three months and continued to increase at the nearest sites until the study ended after one year. Average concentrations after a year of exposure ranged from 4418 ppb at 250 m from the plant to 403 ppb at 1250 m from the plant. The decrease over distance followed a negative exponential pattern. Background concentrations at a control site in northern Wisconsin averaged 155 ppb.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mercury accumulation in transplanted Hypogymnia physodes lichens downwind of Wisconsin chlor-alkali plant |
| Series title | Water, Air, & Soil Pollution |
| DOI | 10.1023/A:1004977717769 |
| Volume | 102 |
| Issue | 3-4 |
| Year Published | 1998 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Contributing office(s) | National Wildlife Health Center |
| Description | p. 427-436 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Water, Air, and Soil Pollution |
| First page | 427 |
| Last page | 436 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Vilas |
| City | Port Edwards |
| Other Geospatial | Toft Point Natural Area |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |