a review of forestry’s impacts on methylmercury in aquatic ecosystems and recommendations for best management practices in ontario’s boreal forest
abstract
mercury contamination in freshwater fish of northern ontario is exceeding
levels safe for consumption and is negatively impacting remote communities. this
literature review examines the impacts of specific forest operations on mercury
contamination to aquatic communities. literature was reviewed from online sources
using peer reviewed journal articles that contained relevant information to mercury
cycling or impacts of forest operations. the studies found that forest harvesting and site
preparation were responsible for increasing soil concentrations of methylmercury
(mehg) between 100-500%. there were not subsequent changes in aquatic mercury
concentrations if hydrological connections between soils and water were minimized.
fire reduced overall mercury concentrations in the soil and lessened the impact of site
disturbance on aquatic mercury concentrations. current management practices in
ontario are insufficient at preventing significant mercury contamination to freshwater
ecosystems. incorporating more modern technology and harvesting practices, and
management strategies that minimize movement of mercury from forest soils to waters
should be the focus of future management directions.
collections
- undergraduate theses [325]