North Central Research Station

Mercury Studies

As a result of fossil fuel combustion, mercury pollution occurs across the globe, even in remote areas. Because mercury bioaccumulates in the food chain, especially in aquatic ecosystems, consumers of fish are generally at highest risk. Mercury has been shown to cause health impacts in humans, especially unborn babies and young children, in mammals, reptiles and birds. Our research aims at understanding how mercury gets into our surface waters and if there are watershed management techniques that either enhance or deter these inputs.

Mercury Mobilization Due to Fire (Prescribed Burning) – Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area, Superior National Forest - Although the cycling of mercury through forested and aquatic systems has been studied, little is known about the cycling of mercury in response to wildland or prescribed fires.

Related Studies

Mercury Mobilization due to Fire (Prescribed Burn) Boundary Waters Canoe Area Project Effects of Sulfate Deposition on Mercury Cycling