Effects of pH and feeding regime on methylmercury accumulation within aquatic microcosms

Abstract

The effect of pH (pH 5, 6 or 7) on accumulation of radiolabelled methylmercury was examined using a laboratory microcosm system. Accumulation of labelled mercury at three trophic levels, primary consumers ( Daphnia magna), secondary consumers (rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri) and tertiary consumers (walleye, Stizostedion vitreum) was not significantly affected by pH. Our results are in direct contrast with field observations of elevated methylmercury concentrations in fish from low pH water and indicate that the elevated mercury residues observed in the field result from factors other than the direct effects of pH on accumulation of methylmercury by aquatic organisms. Both water and diet were important as sources of the labelled mercury which was accumulated by walleye. Walleye which were fed rainbow trout, that had accumulated labelled mercury from within the experimental microcosms, accumulated almost twice as much labelled mercury as walleye fed non-labelled prey, or walleye which were not fed. Walleye fed non-labelled rainbow trout accumulated slightly more labelled mercury than walleye which were not fed, presumably as a result of the higher metabolic rate of the fish which were fed.