Abstract
Mercury is a global pollutant that is released into our environment by natural and anthropogenic processes resulting in extensive studies of mercury cycling in aquatic ecosystems, and the issuance of human-health-based fish-consumption advisories. We examined total mercury concentrations in Walleye Sander vitreus from Upper and Lower Red Lakes, located in north central Minnesota, between 2019 and 2020. Sampled Walleye (n = 265) ranged from 158 to 610 mm in total length from an age range of young-of-the year to 16 years. Mercury concentrations within the Walleye ranged from 0.030 mg/kg to 0.564 mg/kg (x̄ = 0.179 ± 0.105 mg/kg; x̄ = mean ± sd, all fish-mercury concentrations expressed on wet-weight basis). The best supported model for predicting mercury concentrations in Red Lake Walleye included the independent variables: length, age, sex, and lake basin. This model indicated that there was a significant difference in mercury concentrations between Upper and Lower Red Lake (x̄ = 0.215 ± 0.117 and 0.144 ± 0.077 mg/kg, respectively), and also suggests that individuals who rely on fish for subsistence should target Walleye that are ≤ 400 mm from Lower Red Lake. Observed differences in mercury concentrations could be linked to wetland area influences, fish growth rates, and physicochemical parameters between the two basins. Given that our results illustrated a significant difference in fish-mercury concentrations between basins, future pollutant monitoring efforts should treat Upper and Lower Red Lake as separate lakes and not assume that data from one basin can apply to the other.
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Acknowledgements
A special thank you to Pat Brown, Herb Mountain, and Kevin Spears at the RL DNR and Tony Kennedy and his staff at the MN DNR, Bemidji Area Fisheries Office for allowing me to collect portions of Walleye samples for this study. Special thank you to Emily Rapp, intern and temporary RL DNR employee, Ola Cobenais and Jennifer Malinski (RL DNR) for assisting in the data collection and recording efforts. Bemidji State University for providing me the opportunity to obtain my Masters in Science degree. Mark Brigham (USGS) for finding equipment for my research and providing valuable feedback throughout this study. Dr. Jeff Jeremiason, Gustavus Adolfus College in St. Peter, MN, for training of what I could expect to see throughout my sample analysis. There were no additional funds received throughout the development of this manuscript.
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The research study and manuscript was prepared by the primary author, TO, as part of his Master’s research project. The co-authors supplied suggestions and edits throughout the research and formation of the manuscript before the first submission. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
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This study was approved by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and Bemidji State University before any data was collected. Fish samples were obtain through experimental gill net assessments for fish population size. All fish within this study were euthanized in accordance to Red Lake Fisheries SOPs, however, this study did not require an ethics approval by any participating party.
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Orgon, T.J., Hafs, A.W., Isaacson, C.W. et al. Spatial and temporal variability of mercury in Upper and Lower Red Lake Walleye. Ecotoxicology 32, 811–823 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-023-02689-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-023-02689-w