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Influence of Physiochemical and watershed characteristics on mercury concentration in walleye, Sander vitreus, M.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0166-y

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Abstract

Elevated mercury concentration has been documented in a variety of fish and is a growing concern for human consumption. Here, we explore the influence of physiochemical and watershed attributes on mercury concentration in walleye (Sander vitreus, M.) from natural, glacial lakes in South Dakota. Regression analysis showed that water quality attributes were poor predictors of walleye mercury concentration (R2 = 0.57, p = 0.13). In contrast, models based on watershed features (e.g., lake level changes, watershed slope, agricultural land, wetlands) and local habitat features (i.e., substrate composition, maximum lake depth) explained 81% (p = 0.001) and 80% (p = 0.002) of the variation in walleye mercury concentration. Using an information theoretic approach we evaluated hypotheses related to water quality, physical habitat and watershed features. The best model explaining variation in walleye mercury concentration included local habitat features (Wi = 0.991). These results show that physical habitat and watershed features were better predictors of walleye mercury concentration than water chemistry in glacial lakes of the Northern Great Plains.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Influence of Physiochemical and watershed characteristics on mercury concentration in walleye, Sander vitreus, M.
Series title Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
DOI 10.1007/s00128-010-0166-y
Volume 86
Issue 2
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Leetown
Description 5 p.
First page 163
Last page 167
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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