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Home My WebLink AboutNC0000272_Results DWQ Fish Tissue Hg Assess_19961121 Division of Water Quality Biological Assessment Group November 21, 1996 MEMORANDUM To: Roy Davis Regional Supervisor, ARROO Through: Jimmie OveRc � — Nov Z 6 Trish MacPhe _'{� A w, TERC I From: Mark Hale Subject: Results of DWQ Fish Tissue Mercury Assessment Pigeon River,October 1996 The following are results of the DWQ Environmental Sciences Branch assessment of mercury levels in fish collected from the Pigeon River during October 7 and 8, 1996. DWQ personnel conducted the study to examine mercury concentrations in fish from the North Carolina section of the Pigeon(above Canton to Walters Lake). The survey was conducted at the request of the Asheville Regional Office in response to growing concerns over possible mercury bioaccumulation in the Pigeon system below Canton. Sixty fish samples were collected from five stations along the Pigeon River during the study. The following stations stretched from just above Canton and the Champion mill discharge, to Walters Lake (see map). 1] Below NC 215 Bridge above Canton(at the high school) 2] SR 1513 above Clyde at river mile 59.0 3] Old Rt. 209 at river mile 52.3 4] SR 1364 at Ferguson Bridge,river mile 48.2 5] Walters Lake, river mile 3940 Fish were collected via backpack and boat-mounted electrofishing units. Piscivores, insectivores, and/or omnivores were collected at each station, wrapped individually in foil, bagged, and transported on dry ice back to the ESB laboratory for processing. Field identifications of all fish were confirmed in the laboratory. All fish samples were processed at the ESB laboratory on October 11, 1996 and delivered to the DWQ chemistry lab for analysis of total mercury. Split samples were also prepared and shipped to Quanterra Environmental Services for analysis at the request of Champion Paper personnel. Samples sent for analysis included individual and composited fish. DWQ results show all fish from all stations contained total mercury levels below the EPA and FDA limits of 0.6 ppm and 1.0 ppm respectively. Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.02 ppm in insectivores and omnivores,to 0.54 ppm in a largemouth bass collected above Canton(see attached statistical summaries). Piscivores such as bass are expected to contain higher levels of mercury due to their longevity and trophic level. All total mercury results were comparable to "background" levels expected for fish across North Carolina. 1 i s November 21, 1996 Page 2 Results from split sample analyses by Quantena correlate well with DWQ data. Quanterra results were consistently higher than results generated by the DWQ lab,but were considered to be well within the same range(see enclosed Champion Paper fax,Table 1). All Quanterra results were lower than the FDA limit of 1.0,and only one result for the aforementioned bass collected above Canton exceeded the EPA screening value of 0.60 ppm. The average of DWQ and Quanterra results for the bass equals 0.59 ppm,just under the EPA screening value. Mercury levels approaching the EPA value are not uncommon in older,larger bass in systems across the state. Individual sample results from both labs remained under current FDA criteria. The current EPA screening value of 0.60 ppm was exceeded by only one individual Quanterra result. All mean mercury results for species and station from both labs were less than EPA and FDA limits. Mercury results from both labs reflect levels that would be encountered in fish from NC waters not subject to excessive discharges or impacts. CC., Steve Tedder Forrest Westall,ARO Keith Haynes,ARO Susan Wilson, NPDES Group Luanne Williams, Envir. Epidemiology Section Pigeon River Fish Tissue Stations NCDWQ Mercury.Assessment October 1996 WahmUM Walwn7elaFe CsWoodee cNk Walters Lake N-1) cMR t' P271 New Hepu Bridge I \now Ferguson Bridge (48.2) , Jmatlrarrs creek Old Rt. 209 (52.3) Above Clyde (590) GnANC - Wemsk addand Cyd;NG Below 215 Bridge WW7 Creek Above Canton i Mercury in Fish Tissue Pigeon River NCDWQ, October 1996 (Results are expressed as m) Station and Species Mean Count Minimum IMaidmum Total,All species and stations 0.11 60 0.02 0.54 Pigeon River at Canton,Bass 0.42 3 0.34 0.54 Pigeon River at Canton,Hogsucker 0.06 2 0.02 0.10 Pigeon River at Canton,Redbreast 0.15 4 0.05 0.26 j Pigeon River at Canton,Rock Bass 0.241 3 0.08 0.45 Pigeon River at Canton,Warmouth 0.31 1 0.31 0.31 Pigeon River at SR-1513,Blue ill 0.04 2 0.03 0.05 E Pigeon River at SR-1513,Carp 0.09 3 0.08 0.09 Pigeon River at SR-1513,Bass 0.10 2 0.07 0.13 Pigeon River at SR-1513,Redbreast 0.04 3 0.04 0.05 Pigeon River at SR-1513,Rock Bass 0.03 1 0.03 0.03 Pigeon River at SR-1513,Smallmouth 0.071 1 0.07 0.07 Pigeon River at SR-1513,Warmouth 0.09 1 0.09 0.09 i Pigeon River at SR-1513,White Sucker 0.05 2 0.02 0.08 Pigeon River at NC-209,Carp 0.08 3 0.08 0.08 Pigeon River at NC-209,Bass 0.18 3 0.07 0.25 Pigeon River at NC-209,Redbreast 0.06 5 0.05 0.07 Pigeon River at NC-209,Smallmouth 0.09 1 0.09 0.09 Pigeon River dwnstrm of Ferguson Bridge,Redbmast 0.02 3 0.02 0.03 Pigeon River dwnstrm of Fer uson Bridge,Rock Bass 0.03 1 0.03 0.03 Pigeon River dwnstrm of Ferguson Bridge,Smallmouth 0.04 1 0.04 0.04 Walters Lake,Bluegill 0.05 6 0.04 0.07 Walters Lake,Crappie 0.08 3 0.06 0.10 Walters Lake,Bass 1 0.071 61 0.041 0.10 c odommm -. o -. 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U .] rl J N �-1 N rl J N ��Ci aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa L 41 V, aaaaaaaaa - 2121 a a aaaaaa A 'a waaaa 'w 'a 'aao. a 'aaii. 'a & 'a 'aaa 'wiC 'c. 'a 'aaaaaii. 'a 'aaaa '& 'w 'aaaaii, 'a 'a333333333333333 W m c ooaaaaaoaaoa000 00000 � � 000000000000000000 0000aaosooaa ooaao CHAMPION EOHS ID 4-646-6892 NOV 19 15 :36 N0 .009 P .02 TABLE 1: Results from NCDEHNR Fish Tissue Analysis for Pigeon River Mercury Assessment Fish tissue collected on 1017/96 and 10/8196 t]uantarra NCOEHNR Pigeon River Sample Fish Total Hg Total Hg Sample Site Mile ID Species ID m m Canton Upstream 64.5 96.300 N. Hogsucker 0.18 0.1 Canton Upstream 64.5 96-301 N. Hogsucker 0.18 <0.02 i Canton Upstream 64.5 96-302 Rock Bass 0.13 0.08 . Canton Upstream 64.6 96-303 Rock Base 0.56 0.45 j Canton Upstream 64.5 96304 Rack Bass 0.28 0.2 Canton Upstream 64.5 96-305 Warmouth 0.42 0.31 Canton Upstream 64.5 96-305 Largemouth Bass 0.43 0.38 Canton Upstream 64.5 96.307 Largemouth Bass 0.40 0.34 Canton Upstream 84.5 86-300 Redbreast 0.23 0.12 Canton Upstream 64.5 96-30D Redbreast 0.089 0.05 Canton Upstream 64.5 96310 Redbreast 0.14 0.18 Canton Upstream 64.5 96-311 Redbreast 0.41 026 Canton Upstream 64.5 1 96313 Larqemouth Bass 0.64 0.64 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 96.350 Carp 0.077 0.09 i Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 96-351 Carp 0.085 0.09 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 96-352 Carp 0.0B6 0.08 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 55.0 96-354 Rock Bass NO 0.03 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 69.0 96-355 Smallmouth Bass 0.080 0.07 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 96-356 Largemouth Bass 0.16 0.13 Above.Clyde(SR 1513) 69.0 96-357 Largemouth Bass 0.092 0.07 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 96359 Warmouth 0.13 0.09 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 PS-360 Bluegill 0.044 0.03 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 95-361 Bluegill 0.083 0.05 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 90-362 Redbreast 0.073 0.04 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 69.0 96-383 Redbreast 0.081 0.04 Above Clyde(SR 1613) 59.0 96-364 Redbreast 0.084 0.05 Above Clyde(SR 1513) 59.0 96-365 White Sucker 0.099 0.02 Above Clyde SR 1513 59.0 96-366 White Sucker ND 0.08 Old NC Route 209 52.3 96-337 Smallmouth Bass 0.12 0.09 Old NC Route 209 52.3 96-338 Redbreast 0.080 0.07 Old NC Route 209 52.3 96-339 Redbreast 0.090 0.05 i Old NO Route 209 52.3 96-340 Redbrcast 0.098 0.08 Old NC Route 209 52.3 98-341 Redbreast 0.10 0.08 Old NC Route 209 52.3 96.342 Redbreast 0.076 0.05 Old NC Route 209 52.3 96.343 Largemouth Bass 0.25 0.25 Old NC Route 209 52.3 95-345 Largemouth Bass 0.26 0.21 Old NC Route 209 52.3 96-346 Largemouth Bass 0.087 0.07 Old NO Route 209 52.3 95.347 Carp 0.000 0.08 Old NC Route 209 62.3 08-348 Carp 0.087 0.08 Old NC Route 209 52.3 95349 Caro 0.080 0.08 Ferguson Bridge 48.2 95-314 Smallmouth Sass 0.084 0.04 Ferguson Bridge 48.2 95-316 Rock Bass 0.076 0.03 Ferguson Bridge 48.2 96.317 Redbreast 0.050 0.02 Ferguson Bridge 482 96-318 Redbreast 0.087 0.03 Ferguson Bride 48.2 90.319 Redbreast 0.047 0.02 Page 1 CMSII18/98 CHRMPION� EOHS IF 14-646-6892 NOV `19' 15 :36 No .009 P .03 TABLE 1: Results from NCDEHNR Fish Tissue Analysis for Pigeon River Mercury Assessment Fish tissue collected an 10/7/96 and 1018196 Quanterra NCDEHNR Pigeon River Sample Fish Total Hg Total Hg Sample Site Mile ID Species ID m m Walters Lake NA 96-320 Grapple 0.17 0.09 Walters Lake NA 9&321 Crappie 0.18 0.06 Walters Lake NA 98-322 Grapple 0.13 0.1 Walters Lake NA 96-323 Bluegill 0.097 0.04 Waiters Lake NA 96-324 Bluegill 0.083 0.07 Walters Lake NA 96-325 Bluegill 0.16 0.05 Walters Lake NA 96.326 Bluegill 0.12 0.06 Walters Lake NA 96-327 Bluegill 0.14 0.04 Walters Lake NA 95.328 Bluegill 0.11 0.04 Walters Lake NA 98-330 Largemouth Baas 0.18 0.1 Walters lake NA 96-332 Largemouth Bass 0.21 0.1 Walters Lake NA 96.333 Largemouth Bass 0.15 0.07 Walters Lake NA 96-334 Largemouth Bass 0.18 0.07 Waiters Lake NA 96.335 Largemouth Bass 0.12 0.08 Walters take NA 1 96.336 1 Largemouth Bass 1 0.12 1 0.04 1 ; ND o Not Detectable at 0.040 ppm Reporting Limit NA=Not Applicable The FDA fish consumption standard to methyl mercury is 1 ppm i i Page 2 CMS11/8/88