Ebook: Mercury in the Biogeochemical Cycle: Natural Environments and Hydroelectric Reservoirs of Northern Quebec (Canada)

Nowadays, major environmental issues are the object of large public debates de­ spite the fact that scientific knowledge is often insufficient to draw unequivocal conclusions. Such is the case in the ongoing debate regarding the specific contri­ butions of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and of natural climate changes to global warming. At least 10 to 20 years of additional observations will be re­ quired, before we will be able to conclude, with certainty, on this subject. In the mean time, and as directed by their immediate interests, people will continue to promote contradictory opinions. The media are, in part, responsible for perpetuat­ ing such debates in that they convey indiscriminately the opinion of highly credi­ ble scientists as that of dogmatic researchers, the latter, unfortunately too often expressing working hypotheses as established facts. Naturally, in a similarly mis­ informed manner, pressure groups tend to support the researcher whose opinions most closely represent either their particular ideological battles or their economic interests and, hence, in their own way, add further to the confusion and obscurity of the debate. Only a few years ago, mercury (Hg)contamination in hydroelectric reservoirs was the object of such media and social biases. At the time, analytical data used to support the discourse were themselves uncertain and numerous hypotheses, often times fanciful, were proposed and hastily "delivered" to the public.

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This book presents an exhaustive overview of the biogeochemical cycling of mercury in hydroelectric reservoirs as well as in natural aquatic systems of the boreal forest region of northern Quebec (Canada). Presented in the form of 14 papers with an overall synthesis, it marks the conclusion of over 10 years of studies carried out by universities, governmental institutions and industries, using the latest and most appropriate sampling and analytical procedures. The results clearly show a threefold increase in atmospheric fluxes of Hg in remote areas of northern Quebec over the last century and, in the case of hydroelectric reservoirs, the critical role played by the extensive flooding of land in the temporary post-impoundment increase in mercury levels in aquatic organisms and fish-eating wildlife.

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This book presents an exhaustive overview of the biogeochemical cycling of mercury in hydroelectric reservoirs as well as in natural aquatic systems of the boreal forest region of northern Quebec (Canada). Presented in the form of 14 papers with an overall synthesis, it marks the conclusion of over 10 years of studies carried out by universities, governmental institutions and industries, using the latest and most appropriate sampling and analytical procedures. The results clearly show a threefold increase in atmospheric fluxes of Hg in remote areas of northern Quebec over the last century and, in the case of hydroelectric reservoirs, the critical role played by the extensive flooding of land in the temporary post-impoundment increase in mercury levels in aquatic organisms and fish-eating wildlife.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XVIII
Resume et synthese....Pages 1-21
Introduction....Pages 23-40
Analysis of Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Environmental Samples....Pages 41-52
Front Matter....Pages 53-53
Mercury in Natural Lakes and Unperturbed Terrestrial Ecosystems of Northern Quebec....Pages 55-87
Bioaccumulation of Mercury and Methylmercury in Invertebrates from Natural Boreal Lakes....Pages 89-113
Mercury in Fish of Natural Lakes of Northern Quebec....Pages 115-130
Mercury in Birds and Mammals....Pages 131-144
Front Matter....Pages 145-145
In Vitro Release of Mercury and Methylmercury from Flooded Organic Matter....Pages 147-164
Mercury Dynamics at the Flooded Soil-Water Interface in Reservoirs of Northern Quebec: in Situ Observations....Pages 165-189
Front Matter....Pages 191-191
Bioaccumulation of Methylmercury in Invertebrates from Boreal Hydroelectric Reservoirs....Pages 193-214
Mercury Accumulation in Fish from the La Grande Complex: Influence of Feeding Habits and Concentrations of Mercury in Ingested Prey....Pages 215-233
Post-Impoundment Evolution of Fish Mercury Levels at the La Grande Complex, Quebec, Canada (from 1978 to 1996)....Pages 235-258
Calculated Fluxes of Mercury to Fish in the Robert-Bourassa Reservoir....Pages 259-272
Front Matter....Pages 273-273
Assessment of the Ecotoxic Risk of Methylmercury Exposure in Mink (Mustela vison) Inhabiting Northern Quebec....Pages 275-285
Breeding Success of Osprey under High Seasonal Methylmercury Exposure....Pages 287-293
Synthesis....Pages 295-311
Conclusion and Prospects....Pages 313-316
Back Matter....Pages 317-334

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This book presents an exhaustive overview of the biogeochemical cycling of mercury in hydroelectric reservoirs as well as in natural aquatic systems of the boreal forest region of northern Quebec (Canada). Presented in the form of 14 papers with an overall synthesis, it marks the conclusion of over 10 years of studies carried out by universities, governmental institutions and industries, using the latest and most appropriate sampling and analytical procedures. The results clearly show a threefold increase in atmospheric fluxes of Hg in remote areas of northern Quebec over the last century and, in the case of hydroelectric reservoirs, the critical role played by the extensive flooding of land in the temporary post-impoundment increase in mercury levels in aquatic organisms and fish-eating wildlife.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XVIII
Resume et synthese....Pages 1-21
Introduction....Pages 23-40
Analysis of Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Environmental Samples....Pages 41-52
Front Matter....Pages 53-53
Mercury in Natural Lakes and Unperturbed Terrestrial Ecosystems of Northern Quebec....Pages 55-87
Bioaccumulation of Mercury and Methylmercury in Invertebrates from Natural Boreal Lakes....Pages 89-113
Mercury in Fish of Natural Lakes of Northern Quebec....Pages 115-130
Mercury in Birds and Mammals....Pages 131-144
Front Matter....Pages 145-145
In Vitro Release of Mercury and Methylmercury from Flooded Organic Matter....Pages 147-164
Mercury Dynamics at the Flooded Soil-Water Interface in Reservoirs of Northern Quebec: in Situ Observations....Pages 165-189
Front Matter....Pages 191-191
Bioaccumulation of Methylmercury in Invertebrates from Boreal Hydroelectric Reservoirs....Pages 193-214
Mercury Accumulation in Fish from the La Grande Complex: Influence of Feeding Habits and Concentrations of Mercury in Ingested Prey....Pages 215-233
Post-Impoundment Evolution of Fish Mercury Levels at the La Grande Complex, Quebec, Canada (from 1978 to 1996)....Pages 235-258
Calculated Fluxes of Mercury to Fish in the Robert-Bourassa Reservoir....Pages 259-272
Front Matter....Pages 273-273
Assessment of the Ecotoxic Risk of Methylmercury Exposure in Mink (Mustela vison) Inhabiting Northern Quebec....Pages 275-285
Breeding Success of Osprey under High Seasonal Methylmercury Exposure....Pages 287-293
Synthesis....Pages 295-311
Conclusion and Prospects....Pages 313-316
Back Matter....Pages 317-334
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