Research Article
Okweye P, Golson-Garner K, Mos
Abstract
Water, soil/sediment, and 36 fish samples were collected at three major sites along Flint Creek in 2015-2016 and analyzed for Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), Total Mercury (tHg), and other water quality indicators. This study was a follow-up to a 2012 study that revealed elevated tHg levels in fish, resulting in a public health advisory. This study revealed tHg concentrations in water below the detection limit (0.0002 ppm); while, tHG in soil/sediment ranged from <0.0133 ppm to 0.0682 ppm dry weight. No temporal trends existed, but tHG tended to increase with TOC. Mercury levels in sediment were below the threshold effects level suggested as a preliminary screening level by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Acute = 1.4, Chronic = 0.77 ppb). In summary, tHg levels were low; posing little risk to drinking water. Soil/sediment levels were generally higher and could pose risk to aquatic species.