Sunderland, E. M., U.S. Environmental Protection, Boston, MA , USA, sunderland.elsie@epa.gov
Mason , R. P., Dept. of Marine Sciences, Univ. of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA, robert.mason@uconn.edu
Selin, N. E., Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, MA, USA, eckley@fas.harvard.edu
Strode, S. ., Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA , USA, sstrode@atmos.washington.edu
Krabbenhoft, D. P., U.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, WI, , dpkrabbe@usgs.gov

ESTIMATING RESPONSE TIMES OF OCEANS TO MERCURY EMISSION REDUCTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EXPOSURE FROM MARINE FISH

We synthesize results from global-scale atmospheric and oceanic cycling models to assess anthropogenic contributions to human mercury exposure from marine fish consumption. Modeling results suggest that anthropogenic mercury enrichment is greatest in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and if global emissions remain at present levels, mean concentrations will decrease in these areas. However, our results also indicate concentrations in the North Pacific Ocean may increase. These modeling scenarios agree with data from a 2006 North Pacific cruise, and reveal increases in total mercury concentrations at comparable latitudes to stations sampled in 1987 and 2002. Data from the Mediterranean Sea, on the other hand, indicate decreasing concentrations in recent years. Since almost 40% of human mercury exposure in the U.S. is from tuna harvested primarily from the Pacific Ocean, these data suggest that population wide exposure may not decline concurrently with proposed domestic emissions reductions. This analysis illustrates the complex anticipated response of oceanic fish mercury levels resulting from large-scale mercury emission reductions, and emphasizes the important role scientists have for informing policy makers and resource management agencies.

Oral presentation

Presentation is given by student: No
Session #:187
Date: 03-07-2008
Time: 10:15