Regresar

Dynamics of mercury accumulation in fish following the creation of a large hydroelectric reservoir

Abstract:

The objective of this work was the study of the dynamics of mercury accumulation in fish following the creation of the Robert-Bourassa hydroelectric reservoir in Québec-Canada. The following variables were determined: concentration of mercury in water as a function of time, mercury concentration of the plankton, and the relation between changes of non-piscivorous fish weight with time to the food availability in the reservoir using bioenergetic relations. Finally, the mercury content in the diet of the fishes was measured as a function of the age of the reservoir, using a mercury bioaccumulation model. Based on the results of the study it is concluded that the bioaccumulation model utilized was adequate for calculating the concentration of mercury in the fishes' diet, given the high degree of correspondence of the results obtained on their utilization and on those obtained from information on the fish stomach contents.