Mercury Contamination in Components of an Estuarine Ecosystem

• Published in: Water science and technology Vol. 18; no. 4/5; pp. 161 - 170
• Main Authors: Elliott, M, Griffiths, A H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London IWA Publishing 01.01.1986
• Subjects: Algae; Aquatic birds; Area; Biological effects; Biota; Brackishwater environment; Components; Contamination; Demersal fish; Discharge; Ecological effects; Ecological monitoring; Estuaries; Estuarine dynamics; Estuarine ecosystems; Estuarine environments; Fecundity; Fish; Marine molluscs; Mass; Meiobenthos; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Mussels; Plankton; Sediment; Sediments; Viviparity; Waterfowl
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.1986.0192

An industrial wastewater containing inorganic mercury has been discharged into the Forth estuary through a long sea outfall for many years. Results of a study on the ecological effects of this discharge were compared with a less-polluted area 19 km downstream. The polluted area showed greater mercury concentrations in sediment, plankton, infauna, epifauna, macro-algae, and fish. Sediments contained 97 per cent of the standing mass of mercury. The biota contained only 1 per cent of mercury compared with that in the non-biotic components of the ecosystem. The most likely critical pathways for bio-accumulation through the food chain are indicated. In spite of the pollution, there was no change in the fecundity of the viviparous estuarine fish, Zoarces viviparus, within the contaminated area.