Mercury evolution (1978–1988) in fishes of the La Grande hydroelectric complex, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

From 1978 to 1988, the evolution of the Hg content of fish has been monitored in the areas affected by the La Grande hydroelectric complex. Four fish species were considered: two non piscivorous, lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), and two piscivorous, northern pike (Esox lucius) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum). The evolution of Hg concentrations in time depends upon fish species and type of reservoirs. Non piscivorous fish react more rapidly than piscivorous. Five years after filling, their Hg level had increased by a factor of four in reservoirs with rapid filling and short renewal rate; levels decreased thereafter. In the La Grande 2 reservoir, the Hg concentration of 400 mm lake whitefish went from 0.16 mg kg−1 before impoundment to 0.57 mg kg−1 5 yr after filling, and then started to decrease. For 700 mm northern pike, the Hg level went from 0.61 mg kg−1 to 2.99 mg kg−1 and was still increasing 9 yr after initial filling. In reservoirs where filling spans over a few years or with long renewal rate, their Hg content evolves more slowly. In river sections located downstream from reservoirs, the Hg content of non piscivorous species was significantly higher than in reservoirs. In 1988, whitefish exhibited values of 1.22 mg kg−1 in the tailwater of the La Grande 2 power station, compared to 0.48 mg kg−1 in the forebay. This phenomenon could be related to the drift of food organisms from the upstream reservoir. A study of several reservoirs of the Canadian Shield, which were created between 6 and 67 yr ago suggests that it could take between 20 and 30 yr before Hg concentration in fish return to preimpoundment levels.