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| Title | Focus on Mercury in Fish: Study finds elevated levels in Washington fish | |
| Month-Year Published | June 2003 | |
| Online Availability |
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| Short Description |
This focus sheet presents a summary of the major findings from Ecology's report entitled Mercury in Edible Fish Tissue and Sediments from Selected Lakes and Rivers of Washington State. Information on public health concerns associated with mercury, a summary of the state Department of Health fish advisory for consumption of bass, and links to additional sources of information are provided. (Also see abstract below) | |
| Publication Number | 03-03-036 | |
| Author(s) | Hutchison, S., M. Gallagher, D. McBride, and D. Norton | |
| Print Availability | ||
| Number of pages | 3 pp. | |
| Keywords | assessment, county, environmental, fish, focus, information, lake, mercury, river, sediment, study, tissue, water, Whatcom | |
| Related Web Content | Monitoring of toxic contaminants in Washington state | |
| Related Publications | Title | Relationship |
| Mercury Concentrations in Edible Muscle of Lake Whatcom Fish | similar topic | |
| Mercury in Edible Fish Tissue and Sediments from Selected Lakes and Rivers of Washington State | similar topic | |
| Frequently Asked Questions about Mercury in Bass | similar topic | |
| Abstract | Long Description |
In 2002, the Department of Ecology′s Environmental Assessment Program conducted a study (Mercury in Edible Fish Tissue and Sediments from Selected Lakes and Rivers in Washington State) of mercury concentrations in freshwater fish across Washington state. The statewide effort is a followup to a 2000 study that found elevated mercury levels in fish in Lake Whatcom (in Whatcom County). Total mercury concentrations were measured in edible muscle tissue from 185 bass, collected from 18 lakes and two rivers in 13 counties across Washington. Large-mouth bass and small-mouth bass were chosen as the target species due to their wide distribution, predatory nature (placing them higher on the food chain) and known tendency to accumulate mercury in their muscle tissue. Sediment and water samples also were collected from each of the water bodies to evaluate other factors that may influence how mercury gets into the fish. |
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
