Introduction to NERC Mercury Project Objectives Mercury Databases Project Reports

NERC Project Objectives Overall Objective: Assessing the depositional, geological, geographical and biological factors that control mercury distribution in aquatic ecosystems of northeastern North America Specific Objectives: 1) To develop a network of scientists who study the distribution and controls of mercury in water, sediments, and biota in northeastern North America. 2) To make available a forum for mercury scientists to present their work to others. We especially want to encourage exchanges of information between biologists and geochemists. 3) To develop a database of mercury concentrations in water, surface and subsurface sediments, and biota for the region extending from New York State to Newfoundland 4) To identify a number of hypotheses regarding Hg distribution in the region which need to be further explored. These hypotheses would be based on the data presented collected from participants and would not involve new experimental or field studies. 5) To test these hypotheses using Geographical Information Systems and statistical methods and to prepare synthesis reports suitable for refereed publications.