Mercury levels increasing in popular species of Lake Erie game fish

[Spiel]

Mercury levels increasing in popular species of Lake Erie game fish

JULY 15, 2010

POSTMEDIA NEWS / www.montrealgazette.com

OTTAWA — Mercury levels in a species of Lake Erie game fish are increasing after two decades of steady decline, scientists report.

The joint study by researchers from the Ontario and federal government and the University of Toronto is the most comprehensive to date on mercury levels in Great Lakes fish, and was published in the journal ACS Environmental Science & Technology.

An analysis of the nearly 6,000 samples of lake trout and walleye collected from the lakes between the 1970s and 2007 showed that concentrations in the fish steadily declined in that period in the upper Great Lakes — Superior and Huron.

But between 1990 and 2007, despite a levelling off of mercury concentrations in Lake Ontario walleye, contamination increased in Lake Erie walleye.

Researchers hypothesize that the invasions of dreissenid mussels and round goby fish in the ecosystem contributed to the rise in Lake Erie mercury concentrations.

High levels of mercury can potentially cause adverse health effects if affected fish are consumed.

 

 

 

[asdve23rveavwa]

Was wondering why I woke up with a funny glow after eating that walleye

[BillsTheBassMan]

There must be no mussels or gobies in Lake Ontario in that case . . . got to love inferences like that.

[Spiel]

Actually comparing Lake Ontario with Lake Erie is akin to comparing apples and oranges.

 

Lake Erie's suitable habit for the aforementioned invasive species is vast when compared with Lake O.

 

 

 

[OhioFisherman]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CDYQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greenpeace.org%2Fraw%2Fcontent%2Fseasia%2Fen%2Fpress%2Freports%2Fcoal-fired-power-plants-and-th.pdf&ei=P-ZATMyZDouinQeP-cTVDw&usg=AFQjCNGa_DKaUPERau_q8-8F12FR3c1beg

 

Despite decreasing population of most rust belt cities electrical power generation from coal fired plants continues to increase.

[canadadude]

There must be no mussels or gobies in Lake Ontario in that case . . . got to love inferences like that.

Lots of both in Lake Ontario......the walleye are probably using a different forage, feeding on smelt,emerald shinner and such.Lake Erie Walleye probably forage more heavilly on Gobies which could be the reason for the rise in mercury levels

[Guest LivingLegend]

I think it adds a nice zesty taste to the fish..... No need for fish crisp.