Abstract
The concentration of Hg in muscle was monitored during 10 to 12 years in different size and age groups of pike (Esox lucius) and perch (Perca fluviatilis). The study was performed in one reference and five lime treated lakes. Before liming, the highest levels of Hg in fish were measured in a lake with an annual mean pH just above 5.0. Lower levels were obtained both in lakes which were more acidified and in those which were less acidified. After the start of liming, the fastest and largest changes were obtained in the lakes which were moderately acid before liming (mean pH 5.4–5.8). In small perch, the Hg-concentration was markedly reduced in two years and showed an 80 % decrease in ten years. A slower response was registered in the lakes originally having about 0.5 units lower pH. In the most acidified lake (pH 4.9) the concentrations even increased the first years after liming, but decreased again later on. The possible mechanisms involved are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andersson, P. and Kärrhage, P.: 1984,Effects of liming on the Hg-concentration in fish from the Åva river catchment, Swedish EPA, report 1771, 46 pp (in Swedish).
Andersson, P., Borg, H. and Kärrhage, P.: 1991,Effects of liming on mercury in fish — the status in 19 manipulated lakes. Swedish EPA, report 3883, 45 pp (in Swedish, English summary).
Andersson, P., Grahn, P., Hörnström, E., Nyberg, P. and Dahlquist, K.: 1989,Liming and fertilizing of L. Rammsjön and L. Ämten — an attempt to reduce the Hg-concentration in fish. Swedish EPA, report 3584, 119 pp (in Swedish).
Björklund, I., and Norling, L.: 1979,Environmental effects of deposition of Hg in lakes in the Värmland/Kilsbergen and West Coast areas. Swedish EPA, report 1090 (in Swedish).
Björklund, I., Borg, H. and Johansson, K.: 1984,Ambio 13, 118–121.
Cabana, G., Tremblay, A., Kalff, J. and Rasmussen, J.B.: 1994,Can.J.Fish.Aquat.Sci. 51, 381–389.
Campbell, P.G.C. and Stokes, P.M.: 1985,Can.J.Fish.Aquat.Sci. 42, 2034–2049.
Grahn, O., Hultberg, H. and Jernelöv, A.: 1976.Distribution of mercury in different trophic levels — a review study of three lakes in western Sweden. IVL, report B292, 16 pp(in Swedish).
Hatch, R. and Ott, W.L.: 1968,Anal. Chem. 40, 2085–2087.
Håkanson, L., Andersson, P., Andersson, T., Bengtsson, Å., Grahn, P., Johansson, J.Å., Jönsson, C.P., Kvarnäs, H., Lindgren, G. and Nilsson, Å.: 1990,Measures against high levels of mercury in lake fish. Final report from the Liming-Mercury-Cesium proj., Swedish EPA, report 3818, 189pp (in Swedish, English summary).
Lindqvist, O., Jernelöv, A., Johansson, K. and Rodhe, H.: 1984.Mercury in the Swedish environment — Global and local sources. Swedish EPA, report 1816, 105 pp.
Lindkvist, O. (ed.): 1991, Mercury in the Swedish environment.Water, Air, and Soil Pollut.,55, 261pp.
Meili, M.: 1994,Liming of lakes and watersheds: a tool to reduce mercury concentrations in fish?Recent findings from 46 manipulated lakes. In: Liming of acidified surface waters — a Swedish synthesis, Henrikson, L. and Brodin Y-W (eds.), Springer Verlag, Ch. 16. (in press).
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: 1991,Mercury in the Environment — Problems and Remedial Measures in Sweden, Swedish EPA informs, 36 pp.
Uhrberg, R., Borg, H. and Håkanson, L.: 1989,Quality control of analyses in the project Liming-MercuryCesium. Swedish EPA, report 3572, 64 pp (in Swedish, English summary).
Verta. M., Mannio, J., Iivonen, P., Hirvi, J.-P., Järvinen, O. and Piepponen, S.: 1990,Trace metals in Finnish headwater lakes — effects of acidification and airborne load. In: Kauppi, P., et al. (eds.), Acidification in Finland. Springer — Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg.
Wren, C.D. and Stokes, P.M.: 1988,Ambio 17, 28–30.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Andersson, P., Borg, H. & Kärrhage, P. Mercury in fish muscle in acidified and limed lakes. Water Air Soil Pollut 80, 889–892 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189740
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189740