Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mercury Levels and Relationships in Water, Sediment, and Fish Tissue in the Willamette Basin, Oregon

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In Oregon’s Willamette River Basin (the Basin), health advisories currently limit consumption of fish that have accumulated methylmercury (MeHg) to levels posing a significant human health risk. These advisories created the requirement for a mercury total maximum daily load for the Basin, which required a greater understanding of the behavior, distribution, and levels of mercury and MeHg in the Basin. In 2002, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality initiated a study to measure (using ultraclean techniques) mercury and MeHg levels in water, sediment, and fish samples collected throughout the Basin. Results from the Middle Fork (nominal background) suggested that naturally occurring surface-water concentrations of mercury and MeHg would on an annual average basis be expected in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 and 0.04 to 0.06 ng L−1, respectively. Concentrations in the Coast Fork (Cottage Grove), which were markedly higher, are likely the result of historical mining discharges. The possibility exists that wetlands alone could contribute the dissolved MeHg levels (approximately 0.04 ng L−1) observed in the Main Stem. Mercury levels in sediment were similar, and near background, in the Main Stem, Coast Fork (Row River), and Middle Fork but significantly increased in the Coast Fork (Cottage Grove). Fish tissue mercury levels were typically highest in piscivorous and lowest in invertivorous species but highest in the Coast Fork (Cottage Grove). In the Coast Fork and Cottage Grove Reservoir, discharges from historical mercury mining activities appear to have significantly impacted water, sediment, and fish tissue levels; however these impacts do not appear to extend into the Main Stem. Basinwide mercury data are at present too spottily distributed to determine whether significant mercury point sources exist along the Main Stem.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • SM Allen-Gil DJ Gilroy LR Curtis (1995) ArticleTitleAn ecoregion approach to mercury bioaccumulation by fish in reservoirs Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 28 61–68 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00213970 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXltFGlt70%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Altman B, Henson CM, Waite IR (1997) Summary of information on aquatic biota and their habitats in the Willamette Basin, Oregon, through 1995, Water-Resources Investigations Report 97-4023. U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, OR

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameAmerican Water Works Association (1998) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater EditionNumber20 American Water Works Association Denver, CO

    Google Scholar 

  • Beckvar N, Field J, Salazar S, Hoff R (1996) Contaminants in aquatic habitats at hazardous waste sites: Mercury. NOAA technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 100. National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA

    Google Scholar 

  • NS Bloom (1989) ArticleTitleDetermination of picogram levels of methylmercury by aqueous phase ethylation followed by cryogenic gas chromatography with cold vapour atomic fluorescence detection Can J Fish Aquat Sci 46 1131–1140 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXkt1Wisw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks HC (1971) Quicksilver deposits in Oregon. Miscellaneous Papers #15. Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Portland, OR

  • Brumbaugh WG, Krabbenhoft DP, Helsel DR, Wiener JG, Echols KR (2001) A national pilot study of mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems along multiple gradients: Bioaccumulation in fish. Biological sciences report no. USGS/BRD/BSR-2001-0009. U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Environment Canada (2002) Canadian tissue residue guidelines for the protection of consumers of aquatic life: Methylmercury. Report No. 1–4. Environmental Quality Branch, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • DF Grigal (2002) ArticleTitleInputs and outputs of Hg from terrestrial watersheds: A review Environ Rev 10 1–39 Occurrence Handle10.1139/a01-013 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XjtFChtLs%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BK Hope (2003) ArticleTitleA basin-specific aquatic food web biomagnification model for estimation of mercury target levels Environ Toxicol Chem 22 2525–2537 Occurrence Handle10.1897/02-395 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXnslKisL0%3D Occurrence Handle14552019

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • JD Joslin (1994) ArticleTitleRegional differences in mercury levels in aquatic ecosystems: A discussion of possible causal factors with implications for the Tennessee River system and the Northern Hemisphere Environ Manage 18 559–567

    Google Scholar 

  • Laenen A, Risley JC (1997) Precipitation-runoff and streamflow-routing models for the Willamette River Basin, Oregon. Water-Resources Investigation Report 95-4284. U. S. Geological Survey, Portland, OR

  • Morgans D (2003) Sources and chronology of mercury contamination in Cottage Grove Reservoir. Master’s thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

  • BBM Muhaya M Leermakers W Baeyens (1997) ArticleTitleTotal mercury and methylmercury in sediments and in the polychaete Nereis diversicolor at Groot Buitenschoor (Scheldt Estuary, Belgium) Water Air Soil Pollut 94 109–123 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXhvVynur0%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameNational Research Council (2000) Toxicological effects of methyl mercury National Research Council, National Academy Press Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • New York Power Authority (2004) Determine if water level fluctuations in Lewiston Reservoir increase mercury that is bioavailable. Niagara Power Project (FERC No. 2216), New York Power Authority, New York, NY

  • EL Orr WM Orr EM Boldwin (1992) Geology of Oregon Kendall/Hunt Dubuque, IA 194–95

    Google Scholar 

  • J-G Park LR Curtis (1997) ArticleTitleMercury distribution in sediments and bioaccumulation by fish in two Oregon reservoirs: Point-source and non-point source impacted systems Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 28 61–68

    Google Scholar 

  • SA Peterson AT Herlihy RM Hughes KL Motter JM Robbins (2002) ArticleTitleLevel and extent of mercury contamination in Oregon, USA, lotic fish Environ Toxicol Chem 21 2157–2164 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XntlGjtLk%3D Occurrence Handle12371492

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • K C Rice (1999) ArticleTitleTrace-element concentrations in streambed sediment across the conterminous United States Environ Sci Technology 33 2499–2504 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjs1Witrs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rickert DA, Kennedy VC, McKenzie SW, Hines WG (1977) A synoptic survey of trace metals in bottom sediments of the Willamette River, Oregon. Geological Survey Circular 715-F. U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, DC

  • DW Rodgers FWH Beamish (1983) ArticleTitleWater quality modifies uptake of waterbourne methylmercury by rainbow trout, Salmo gairneri Can J Fish Aquat Sci 40 824–828 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3sXksVylur8%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JWM Rudd (1995) ArticleTitleSources of methyl mercury to freshwater ecosystems: A review Water Air Soil Pollut 80 697–713 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXnsVChur0%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D Sethajintanin ER Johnson BR Loper KA Anderson (2004) ArticleTitleBioaccumulation profiles of chemical contaminants in fish from the Lower Willamette River, Portland Harbor, Oregon Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 46 114–123 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhvFyjtLg%3D Occurrence Handle15025171

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • RR Sokal FJ Rohlf (1981) Biometry W.H. Freeman New York, NY 859

    Google Scholar 

  • CP Stafford TA Haines (2001) ArticleTitleMercury contamination and growth rate in two piscivore populations Environ Toxicol Chem 20 2099–2101 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXmt12ltLc%3D Occurrence Handle11521841

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Titus JH, Christy JA, VanderSchaaf D, Kagan JS, Alverson ER (1996) Natural wetland and riparian plant communities in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, The Nature Conservancy, Portland, OR

  • Uhrich MA, Wentz DA (1999) Environmental setting of the Willamette Basin, Oregon. Water Resources Investigations Report 97-4082-A. U. S. Geological Survey, Portland, OR

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2002) Environmental Residue-Effects Database (ERED). Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (1983) Methods for chemical analysis of water and wastes (EPA/600/4-79/020). Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (1991a) Guidance for water quality-based decisions: The TMDL process (EPA 440/4-91-001). Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (1991b) Methods for the determination of metals in environmental samples (EPA/600/4-91/010). Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (1995) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) laboratory methods manual—Estuaries. Volume 1: Biological and physical analyses (EPA/620/R-95/008). Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI

    Google Scholar 

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (1997) Mercury Study report to Congress (EPA-452/R-97-005). Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (2000) Guidance for assessing chemical contaminant data for use in fish advisories. Volume 1. Fish sampling and analysis, 3rd ed (EPA 823-B-00-007). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (2001a) Water quality criterion for the protection of human health: Methylmercury (final) (EPA-823-R-01-001). Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (2001b) Method 1630: Methyl mercury in water by distillation, aqueous ethylation, purge and trap, and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (EPA-821-R-01-020). Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (2002) Method 1631: Mercury in water by oxidation, purge and trap, and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (EPA-821-R-02-019). Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • U. S. Geological Survey (1989) Methods for analysis of inorganic substances in water and fluvial sediments. Techniques of water-resource investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey. Department of the Interior, Denver, CO

  • Wentz DA, Bonn BA, Carpenter KD, Hinkle SR, Janet ML, Rinella FA, et al. (1998) Water quality in the Willamette Basin, Oregon, 1991-95. U.S. Geological Survey circular 1161. U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, OR

  • Woodward DG, Gannett MW, Vaccaro JJ (1998) Hydrogeologic framework of the Willamette Lowland Aquifer System, Oregon and Washington. USGS Professional Paper 1424-B. U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, OR

Download references

Acknowledgments

Early versions of this manuscript benefited from constructive comments provided by Agnes Lut. Additional constructive review comments were provided by two anonymous reviewers. Allen Hamel, Steve Mrazik, York Johnson, Agnes Lut, Jordan Vinograd, and Greg Silver comprised the DEQ sampling and analysis team. Tracy Harrison (DEQ Water Quality Division) provided Geographic Information Service support to the project. Katherine Parker, Bruce Woods, Alan Henning, and Mark Filippini of the USEPA provided assistance to the project with chemical analyses, QA/QC review, and funding. All views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent Oregon DEQ policy or guidance. No official endorsement is implied or is to be inferred.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Quality Division, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, 811 SW 6th Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97204, USA

    B. K. Hope

  2. Water Quality Division, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, 1102 Lincoln St., Suite 210, Eugene, Oregon, 97401, USA

    J. R. Rubin

Authors
  1. B. K. Hope
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. R. Rubin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. K. Hope.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hope, B.K., Rubin, J.R. Mercury Levels and Relationships in Water, Sediment, and Fish Tissue in the Willamette Basin, Oregon. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 48, 367–380 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0096-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0096-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation