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Mapping Sportfish Mercury Data in Canada: Insights on Temporal and Spatial Trends

This research project analyzes over 170,000 samples from 86 species of sportfish across 1,700+ locations in Canada to explore temporal patterns and spatial trends of mercury contamination, as well as other contaminants. By examining the data collected since the mid-1970s and utilizing various analytical approaches, the study aims to go beyond consumption guidelines and uncover valuable insights into the pollution levels in fish tissue. The project also encompasses a national perspective, expanding the modeling efforts to a larger scale, and linking with the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda for a comprehensive Canadian Mercury Science Assessment.

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Mapping Sportfish Mercury Data in Canada: Insights on Temporal and Spatial Trends

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  1. Mapping of Sportfish Mercury data in Canada: Regional and National Perspectives Eric J. DeLongDavid Depew Satyendra BhavsarNeil Burgess Linda Campbell Greg Mierle

  2. Regional Perspective • Ontario Ministry of Environment (OME) “Fishbase” database: • Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish • Since mid-1970s • ~170,000 samples • 86 species • 1,700+ locations • Morphometrics • Contaminant level • Hg, PCBs, Mirex, Toxaphene, Chlordane, Dioxin, DDT

  3. Research Question Looking beyond the consumption guidelines: What knowledge of temporal patterns or spatial trends can be revealed?

  4. All species & cuts Raw Data: 157,000 samples Sampling Location

  5. No. of samples Yellow Perch Walleye Remaining 74 fish spp. Sampling Year

  6. Temporal component 1976-82 1983-89 1997-04 1990-96

  7. Analysis Approach • How to normalize for confounding factors? • Calibrate USGS-developed National Descriptive Model for Mercury in Fish Tissue (NDMMF) (Wente, 2004) with OME data. vs.

  8. NDMMF 101 Model on species commonality from different sample sites [Fish-Hg] 1 2 3 4 Adapted from Wente, 2004

  9. NDMMF 101 Extrapolate [Fish-Hg] 1 2 3 4 Adapted from Wente, 2004

  10. Model test: slope [Hg] (ug/g)

  11. Model test: slope n=1096 n=658 Frequency (count) 37.5% 62.5% 1754 Walleye “sample-lake-cut-years”

  12. Model test: length = 43.2cm Pred – Obs Fish tissue [Hg] (ug/g) in 43.2cm WE n=658 n=1096

  13. “Observed” Hg in 43.2cm WE 1976-1982Walleye Samples ONLY [Hg] (ug/g)

  14. “Predicted” Hg in 43.2cm WE 1976-1982Walleye Samples ONLY [Hg] (ug/g)

  15. “Predicted” Hg in 43.2cm WE 1976-1982Using ALL Species Sampled [Hg] (ug/g)

  16. Ongoing work • Any areas rising/falling? • Where are persistent “hot-spots”? [Hg] (ug/g)

  17. National Perspectives • Expand modeling effort to National scale • Clean Air Regulatory Agenda (CARA) • Ecological risk assessment to piscivorous fish and wildlife • Combine with other CARA projects for Canadian Mercury Science Assessment (2012-2013)

  18. National Perspectives • Currently 392,922 records (1967-2009) • 99% Freshwater • 4862 sites • 3555 lakes • 798 river • 220 reservoir • 295 “other” (marsh, wetland, pond, bay, estuary, altered flow environment)

  19. National Perspectives • 151 species • Pike and Walleye well represented • Yellow Perch

  20. Contributors to date • Alberta Environment • Alberta Research Council • BC Hydro • Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada • Environment Canada • Hydro Quebec • Ontario Ministry of Environment • Manitoba Water Stewardship • New Brunswick Dept. of Environment • NERC Mercury Program • Nova Scotia Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture • Prince Edward Island Dept. of Environment, Energy and Forestry • Province of Quebec • Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program • Saskatchewan Environment • Drew Bodaly • Randy Baker • Edenise Garcia • Karen Kidd • Bryanna Wynn • Katharina Fischer • Tim Jardine • Tony Scheuhammer • Wilfrid Pilgrim

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