Feb 1, 2014

RMP monitoring of mercury in small fish in the Bay has resulted in several journal publications, the latest just appearing in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. The article by Ben Greenfield and his coauthors (Predictors of Mercury Spatial Patterns in San Francisco Bay Forage Fish) presents the results of a probabilistic forage fish Hg survey with hypothesis testing in the Bay. The goal was to determine what pollution sources, regions, and landscape features were associated with elevated Hg bioaccumulation. Across 99 sites, whole-body Hg concentrations in Mississippi silversides (Menidia audens) and topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) followed a broad spatial gradient, declining with distance from the Guadalupe River. Site landscape attributes and local Hg sources had subtle effects, which differed between fish species. 

Programs and Focus Areas: 
Clean Water Program