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GIS Layer of Standardized Fish Mercury Concentrations Across Canada Now Available
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Linda M. Campbell , Neil M. Burgess , David C Depew
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& Megan Little
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Department of Environmental Science, Saint Mary’s University, Environment Canada, Department of Biology, Queen’s University (original affiliation)
Abstract
A national GIS layer of standardized fish mercury (Hg) data would be
useful to the scientific community for many types of spatial analyses
and modeling. To produce this national GIS layer for Canada, we first
assembled all available fish Hg data across the country and did
quality‐assurance checks, which resulted in 387,872 fish Hg records.
We removed all records from sites with known point‐source Hg inputs or
from hydroelectric reservoirs. The resulting dataset contained 231,063
records from 3547 locations across Canada from 1967‐2010. We used this
data and the USGS National Descriptive Model for Mercury in Fish
(NDMMF) to estimate Hg concentrations in a standard‐length (12‐cm)
whole yellow perch for each sampling location. The resulting geocoded
dataset of standardized fish Hg concentrations is called the Fish
Mercury Datalayer for Canada, or FIMDAC, and is now available to the
scientific community. FIMDAC can be used for Hg eco‐risk assessment,
modeling of Hg dynamics and bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems,
spatial analysis of Hg biogeochemistry, and as baseline for modeling
future Hg management scenarios and their environmental consequences.
FIMDAC is not appropriate for human health risk assessment, temporal
trend analysis or for setting human consumption guidelines.
Fish Mercury Datalayer for Canada (FIDMAC)
Background
The Canadian Fish Mercury Database (CFMD, Depew et al. 2013a) is a collation of available freshwater fish mercury (Hg) concentration data from across Canada, developed under Environment Canada's Clean Air Regulatory Agenda (CARA) Mercury Science Program. The CARA Mercury Science Program was implemented to provide scientific information for the development of policy and regulations associated with the management of atmospheric Hg emissions in Canada (Morrison, 2011). The CFMD represents data contributions from federal and provincial agencies, private industry, universities and non‐governmental organizations and is described in Depew et al (2013a).
FIDMAC Publications so far…
The Fish Mercury Datalayer for Canada (FIMDAC, Depew et al. 2013b) represents model‐derived estimates of Hg concentrations in a widespread common indicator species (12‐
cm whole‐yellow perch). The geographical distribution of yellow perch is wide‐ranging, and they represent an important prey species for piscivorous fish, birds, and mammals. The metadata for FIDMAC is public (Little et al, 2014) DC Depew, NM Burgess & LM Campbell. 2013a. Spatial patterns of methylmercury risks to common loons and piscivorous fish in Canada. Environmental Science & Technology. 47(22): 13093‐13103. DC Depew, NM Burgess & LM Campbell. 2013b .Modelling mercury concentrations in prey fish: Derivation of a national‐scale common indicator of dietary mercury exposure for piscivorous fish and wildlife. Environmental Pollution. 176:234‐243. DC Depew, NM Burgess, MR Anderson, R Baker, SP Bhavsar, RA Bodaly, CS Eckley, MS Evans, N Gantner, JA Graydon, KJacobs, JE LeBlanc, VL St. Louis & LM Campbell. 2013c. An overview of mercury (Hg) concentrations in freshwater fish species: A national fish Hg dataset for Canada. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 70(3): 436‐451. DC Depew, N Basu, NM Burgess, LM Campbell, DC Evers, KA Grasman & AM Scheuhammer. 2012a. Derivation of screening benchmarks for dietary methylmercury exposure for the common loon (Gavia immer): Rationale for use in ecological risk assessment. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 31(10):2399‐
2407. DC Depew, N Basu, NM Burgess, LM Campbell, EW Devlin, PE Drevnick, CR Hammerschmidt, CA Murphy, MB Sandheinrich & JG Wiener. 2012b. Toxicity of dietary methylmercury to fish: Derivation of ecologically meaningful threshold concentrations. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 31(7): 1538‐1547. How Can I get a copy of the Yellow Perch FIDMAC Datalayer?
Interested researchers should submit the online Data Request Form. It is important to understand the nature of this datalayer
which is based on NDMMF output, the limitations of this data and conditions for using this data (see below).
http://www.smu.ca/research/fish‐mercury‐datalayer.html
How might the Yellow Perch FIDMAC Datalayer might be used?
Suggested uses for the FIMDAC datalayer could include:
• GIS layer of fish Hg data for use in spatial modeling of processes related to mercury deposition, methylation and food web biomagnification.
• GIS layer of fish Hg data for use in Hg eco‐risk assessment across Canada.
• GIS layer of fish Hg data for use as an indicator of aquatic MeHg levels across Canada.
• GIS layer of fish Hg data to use as a baseline (1990‐2010) for future comparison with similar fish Hg data, to assess changes over time or due to Hg management initiatives at the national or international level.
NOTE: The FIMDAC is not appropriate for use in the following the applications:
1. Human health risk assessments
2. As a source for temporal trend studies
3. Precision fine‐scale modeling
4. Providing consumption advisories
5. Establishing fishing regulations
User Conditions for using the Yellow Perch FIDMAC Datalayer
Access to the FIMDAC datalayer will be granted to approved The FIMDAC Hg estimates were established through the researchers upon completion of the pre‐screening application, application of the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) and provided that they agree to comply with the conditions National Descriptive Model of Mercury in Fish (NDMMF, Wente stipulated in the associated letter agreement to be provided 2004) to the CFMD. Records represent the estimated Hg burden upon request. Potential users must agree to acknowledge two (ug/g, wet weight) for a standard length (12 cm) whole yellow scientific papers by Depew et al. (2013a,b) and the associated perch at 1936 unique freshwater sites across Canada, collected metadata (Little et al, 2014) if the FIMDAC is used in any form, between 1990 and 2010. The FIMDAC enables direct whether in whole, part, or as a value‐added project.
comparisons of fish Hg across locations by eliminating ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
spatiotemporal and sample characteristic variability, and M Little, DC Depew NM Burgess & LM Campbell. 2014. Metadata: Fish Mercury Datalayer for Canada (FIDMAC). http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.1210773
represents a useful preliminary national‐level standardized SP Wente 2004. A statistical model and national data set for partitioning fish‐tissue index of Hg exposure to piscivorous fish and wildlife (Depew et mercury concentration variation between spatiotemporal and sample characteristic al. 2013c). Further details regarding the development of the effects. USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2004‐5199, 15p. FIMDAC can be found in Depew et al. (2013b).
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2004/5199/pdf/2004‐5199.pdf