title: Effects of urbanization on mercury deposition and accumulation in New England.
abstract: We compare total mercury (HgT) loading and methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation in streams and lakes from an urbanized area (Boston, Massachusetts) to rural regions of southern New Hampshire and Maine. The maximum HgT loading, as indicated by HgT atmospheric deposition, HgT emissions, and sediment HgT concentrations, did not coincide with maximum MeHg concentrations in fish. Urbanized ecosystems were areas of high HgT loading but had low MeHg concentrations in fish. Controls on MeHg production and accumulation appeared to be related primarily to HgT loading in undeveloped areas, while ecosystem sensitivity to MeHg formation appeared to be more important in regulating accumulation of MeHg in the urban area.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 87 State St., Montpelier, VT, USA. Electronic address: chalmers@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Ann T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA. Electronic address: dpkrabbe@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Krabbenhoft
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 1505 Ferguson Lane, Austin, TX 78754, USA. Electronic address: pcvanmet@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Van Metre
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, P.O. Box 25046, MS 401, Bldg 95, Lakewood, CO 80225-0046, USA. Electronic address: manilles@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nilles
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D009511:New England; D045483:Rivers; D014507:Urbanization / Q000639:trends*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Deposition; Fish; Mercury; Sediment; Urban