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Text Box: A couple of weeks ago two of us tried to catch a minimum of ten bass to send to the University of North Carolina as test samples for a mercury study. We started at Point of Rocks, then traveled upriver near the Rte. 340 bridge, and then down to the Rte 17 bridge at Brunswick, where we waded across the Potomac. After fishing for nearly 6 hours, we caught and released 3 Smallmouth and about 7 sunfish. Other than the lack of angling success, I’d like to take a few minutes to discuss why this effort was important and what it could mean to all of us. Obviously, even without this section of the Potomac included, the results of this upcoming study could paint a very interesting picture of the mercury levels in some of our favorite fisheries.
There is a network of organizations and interested individuals across our neighborhood, state, the nation, and around the globe interested in and studying the effects of mercury on the environment and all forms of living organisms. And as you know, something that affects our fish and our fishing affects us all, and those who come after us. Here are seven factoids about mercury pollutions that we all should be familiar with:
Coal-fired power plants are the number one source of mercury air emissions in the U.S. These plants are followed by municipal waste incinerators, commercial/industrial boilers, and medical and hazardous waste incinerators, down through pulp and paper manufacturing plants, and other combustion-dependent utilities.
About 250 tons of mercury are emitted into the atmosphere

Text Box: of the U.S. annually. Depending on location, the majority of mercury enters our lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans from air deposition…for example, about 90% of the mercury in Lake Superior comes from its air, and about 80% of the mercury in Delaware Bay. About 85% of all mercury pollution in the U.S. is released by this nation’s 1,100 coal-burning power plants, and municipal and medical waste incinerators burning mercury-tainted refuse.
Although mercury goes through some chemical transformations during its exposure to environmental factors, primary risks involved with mercury contamination are the brain, muscles, and reproductive organs.
Key symptoms of mercury poisoning are: impairment of peripheral vision, “pins and needles” feelings and numbness in hands and feet, and sometimes around the mouth, decreased coordination in movements, increasingly impaired speech, hearing, and
walking, delayed motor and language skills, and mental disturbances.
The highest risk areas for mercury pollution are the over 1.6 million women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and children in the continental U.S. In addition, anyone who consumes fish as a major portion of their diet is also at risk. The physical damage caused by exposure to mercury is cumulative.
One gram of mercury (about 1/30th of an ounce) will contaminate a twenty-acre lake with enough mercury to cause fish consumption advisories. For comparison, one thermostat, one electrical switch, or 75 fluorescent lamps

Text Box: hold about 3 grams of mercury each, and one teaspoon holds 70 grams of mercury.
In addition to the fish we catch in our local waters, and again dependent on location, here is a list of fish normally eaten in the U.S. in order of decreasing average concen-trations of mercury in parts per million (ppm): Tuna (0.206), Pollack (0.115), Cod (0.121), Crab (0.117), Flounder (0.092), Catfish (0.088), Shrimp (0.047), Scallops (0.042), Salmon (0.035), and Clams (0.023).
So what can we do as individuals and organizations to help manage the risks posed by mercury pollution? Here are a few for your consideration:
Be aware of mercury sources near your home, in your community, in your region up to 800 miles away, and in areas whose winds and waters may affect your ‘world’. Get up-to-date on policies and regulations that control and manage these sources.
Engage in activities that keep these sources operating within their legal guidelines. Promote research in this important area.
Urge appropriate actions to enforce reasonable and effective policies affecting the safe operation of these sources, and to limit expanded uses of mercury in new products and processes.
Be aware of fish consumption advisories involved with the areas you fish, or the fish that you and yours consume. Tailor fish consumption habits accordingly. In any case, enjoy the heat, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying angling time. Ron Marafioti