Geological survey study finds mercury in Grand Canyon
-
25/08/2015
-
Washington Times (USA)
Researchers say mercury and other chemicals that were found in Lake Powell have moved downstream and are now being found in fish and aquatic plants in the Grand Canyon.
The Arizona Daily Sun reports (http://bit.ly/1JjPj1D) no consumption advisories have been issued for fish in the study area that was researched by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The study found mercury and selenium in algae, bugs and fish. High levels of both chemicals can threaten the growth, survival and reproductive success of various species.
USGS researcher Ted Kennedy says mercury levels were not nearly high enough to trigger a consumption advisory for rainbow trout, the fish most often caught and eaten by anglers.
It’s been almost three years since state regulators issued a fish consumption advisory for Lake Powell’s striped bass.