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Facts and fallacies concerning mercury uptake by fish in acid stressed lakes

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Abstract

Concerns about Hg contamination of fish have changed in emphasis from Hg-contaminated systems to more remote and apparently unpolluted systems. For remote lakes, a negative relationship between lake pH and Hg in fish has been demonstrated, implying an effect on Hg uptake from lake acidification. Though this relationship was discussed, and hypotheses put forward concerning the possible mechanisms 8 yr ago, the factors regulating Hg uptake by aquatic biota are still poorly understood. Several recent studies have prompted workers to observe that frequently cited concepts about processes affecting Hg accumulation and cycling are in fact over-simplifications. This review attempts to synthesize and clarify the present state of knowledge. We critically evaluate evidence for a number of controlling factors in the context of the concentrations, the chemical species and the biological uptake processes for Hg. The factors include: trophic status and organic content of water, food chain transfer and biomagnification of Hg, organism age and size effects, feeding strategies, biological and chemical methylation, concentration of cations including H+ and Ca2+ and the immediate source of Hg.

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Author notes

  1. Lisa A. Richman

    Present address: APIOS Office, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 135 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 100, M4V 1P5, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  2. Christopher D. Wren

    Present address: B.A.R. Environmental, 532 Oueen Street East, M5A IV2, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Toronto, M5S 1S4, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Lisa A. Richman, Christopher D. Wren & Pamela M. STokes

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  1. Lisa A. Richman
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Richman, L.A., Wren, C.D. & STokes, P.M. Facts and fallacies concerning mercury uptake by fish in acid stressed lakes. Water Air Soil Pollut 37, 465–473 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192956

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192956

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