Eklöf, Karin
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Inputs of anthropogenic mercury (Hg) to the environment have led to accumulation of Hg in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, contributing to fish Hg concentrations well above the European Union standards in large parts of Fennoscandia. Forestry operations have been reported to increase the concentrations and loads of Hg to surface waters by mobilizing Hg from the soil. This summary of available forestry effect studies reveals considerable variation in treatment effects on total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) at different sites, varying from no effect up to manifold concentration increases, especially for the bioavailable MeHg fraction. Since Hg biomagnification depends on trophic structures, forestry impacts on nutrient flows will also influence the Hg in fish. From this, we conclude that recommendations for best management practices in Swedish forestry operations are appropriate from the perspective of mercury contamination. However, the complexity of defining effective policies needs to be recognized.
Keywords
Bioaccumulation; Boreal forest; Forestry effects; Methylation; Methylmercury; Risk governance
Published in
AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
2016, volume: 45, number: Suppl. 2, pages: S163-S174
Publisher: SPRINGER
SLU Authors
Bishop, Kevin
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Uppsala University
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Associated SLU-program
Non-toxic environment
Lakes and watercourses
SLU Future Forests
Global goals (SDG)
SDG3 Good health and well-being
UKÄ Subject classification
Environmental Sciences
Other Biological Topics
Environmental Management
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-015-0752-7
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/81229