Mercury contamination in Great Lakes wildlife more widespread than thought

[Bozita]

Mercury contamination in Great Lakes wildlife more widespread than thought
10:16 AM, Oct. 11, 2011
BY TINA LAM
DETROIT FREE PRESS

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The report issued by the Great Lakes Commission is the most comprehensive look at mercury contamination ever in the Great Lakes. It includes more than 45,000 samples from fish, birds and other wildlife in 35 separate studies.

Among its surprises: mercury levels are higher in fish in inland lakes than in the five big lakes, and areas usually thought of as pristine—heavily forested with wetlands—are among those with the highest mercury concentrations. For example, there were hot spots in the Ottawa National Forest in the Upper Peninsula and in the Adirondack mountains.

Creatures from loons to walleye showed sensitivity to mercury at much lower concentrations than scientists had believed, and more species are affected by mercury than previously known.

The new report comes at the same time that Congress is trying to halt new Environmental Protection Agency air pollution rules that would cut mercury from coal-fired power plants, the largest source of mercury emissions, and from cement plants. The U.S. House last week passed a bill to delay the regulations because legislators said they would kill jobs. The mercury rule was scheduled to become final next month. There are 144 coal plants in the eight states surrounding the Great Lakes.

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more...
http://www.freep.com/article/20111011/NEWS06/111011015/Mercury-contamination-Great-Lakes-wildlife-more-widespread-than-thought?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

[liberal N proud]

1. I will not eat any fish coming from those waters.

The numbers of dead fish along the shore of Lake Erie is simply that - Erie.

[Nihil]

2. Let's make that nice & clear ...

> The new report comes at the same time that Congress is trying to halt new
> Environmental Protection Agency air pollution rules that would cut mercury from
> coal-fired power plants, the largest source of mercury emissions, and from cement
> plants. The U.S. House last week passed a bill to delay the regulations because
> legislators said they would kill jobs. The mercury rule was scheduled to become
> final next month. There are 144 coal plants in the eight states surrounding the
> Great Lakes.

The U.S. House last week passed a bill to kill people and other animals rather
than risk denting the profits of their sponsors.


> Creatures from loons to walleye showed sensitivity to mercury at much lower
> concentrations than scientists had believed, and more species are affected
> by mercury than previously known.

Ah, if only mercury were radioactive then their job would be so much easier.

:shrug: