Project Title: Effects of Climate Change on Mercury Cycling and Bioaccumulation in the Great Lakes Region

Chemicals Studied: Methylmercury (MeHg)

Geographic Areas: Great Lakes Basin

Project Start Date: August 2009

Project Status: Completed

Synopsis: The current understanding of links between climate change and mercury is inadequate for policy makers to have a sound scientific basis for decisions regarding mercury management. This study aims to provide a preliminary analysis of the potential for climate change to influence mercury cycling and bioaccumulation in the Great Lakes region. A combination of mechanistic modeling, interpretation of existing field observations, and experimental work in the laboratory will be used. Climate-related factors that will be studied for potential influences on mercury include: temperature, hydrology, carbon and mercury export from terrestrial systems, inlake water quality, trophic factors, and atmospheric mercury deposition.

Potential Results and Implications: The proposed work will directly benefit Great Lakes states. It will allow policy makers to (1) better assess the effects of climate change on mercury risks to humans and wildlife in the Great Lakes region and (2) target the most important interactions between climate change and mercury for further monitoring and study. Study results will also provide research managers a better basis to assess which interactions between climate change and mercury are priorities for attention.

Project Contact:
Reed Harris, P.E.
Reed Harris Environmental Ltd.
Phone: (905) 339-0763
Email: reed@reed-harris.com