SREL Reprint #3003

Mercury concentrations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from five South Carolina reservoirs

John D. Peles1, Travis C. Glenn2, Heather A. Brant2, Angela K. Wall2, and Charles H. Jagoe2

1Pennsylvania State University - McKeesport, 4000 University Drive, McKeesport, PA 15132
2Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802

Abstract: Mercury concentrations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) bass were compared among five reservoirs in South Carolina. Three of these reservoirs (Lake Russell, Lake Thurmond, and Lake Marion) are accessible to the public and two (L-Lake and Par Pond) are located on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS), which is closed to public access. Age-adjusted mercury concentrations were significantly higher in SRS bass compared to the offsite reservoirs. In addition, mercury concentrations were significantly higher in bass from Par Pond compared to L-Lake and in bass from Lakes Russell and Thurmond compared to Lake Marion. No mercury concentrations in excess of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level (1.0 mg·kg-1) were found in any bass from the public-accessible reservoirs. However, the majority of fish from these reservoirs had mercury concentrations that fall into or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consumption category of "no more than one per week". In addition, most fish from these reservoirs had mercury levels in excess of those believed to be detrimental to sensitive avian species.

Keywords: mercury, South Carolina, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, southeastern United
States

SREL Reprint #3003

Peles, J. D., T. C. Glenn, H. A. Brant, A. K. Wall and C. H. Jagoe. 2006. Mercury concentrations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from five South Carolina reservoirs. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 173:151-162.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).