Abstract
This study investigates the ranges and spatial variation ofmercury in various media in the wetland ecosystems ofKejimkujik Park, Nova Scotia. Mercury concentrations infive-year-old yellow perch (age based on regression analysesof existing data) ranged from 0.12–0.72 μgg-1(wet weight basis) in 24 lakes. Mercury concentrations inred maple ranged from 5 to 41 ng g-1 and levels inwhite pine ranged from 5 to 58 ng g-1, dry weight.Concentrations of total mercury were found to besignificantly higher in epiphytic lichens (maximum of 660 ngg-1) and in feather mosses (maximum of 395 ng g-1)compared to vascular species. The soil Ah horizon exhibitsthe highest concentrations for both mercury and gold, withmaximum values of 466 and 42.8 ng g-1 respectively;whereas the C-horizon appears to host the most Zn (maximum209.9 μg g-1). Lake water pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were thevariables most highly correlated with mercury in lake watersand yellow perch. No correlations were observed betweenmercury in terrestrial components and mercury in yellowperch; however, mercury in yellow perch was correlated withP in leaf tissues of both red maple and white pine. Theimportance of understanding linkages between terrestrial andaquatic ecosystems is emphasized through this study.
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Rencz, A.N., O'Driscoll, N.J., Hall, G.E.M. et al. Spatial Variation and Correlations of Mercury Levels in the Terrestrial and Aquatic Components of a Wetland Dominated Ecosystem: Kejimkujik Park, Nova Scotia, Canada. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 143, 271–288 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022899919151
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022899919151