WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL
Project ID: 2005LA32B
Title: Total mercury and methylmercury in Louisiana fresh, brackish and salt marsh
Project Type: Research
Focus Categories: Wetlands, Toxic Substances, Sediments
Keywords: Water quality, fish advisories, food chain, health effects, biogeochemistry
Start Date: 03/01/2005
End Date: 02/28/2006
Federal Funds: $13,951
Non-Federal Matching Funds: $33,397
Congressional District: 6
Principal Investigators:
Istvan Devai
Louisiana State University
Ronald DeLaune
Abstract
The proposed research will determine the historical patterns of mercury deposition, rates of accumulation, sources, and movements of mercury in the Louisiana coastal marsh environment. The study will quantify the amount of methylmercury in Louisiana coastal marsh, which, serve as nursery ground for fish and other aquatic species. The study will complement ongoing studies by PI documenting methyl and total mercury in bottom sediment from numerous Louisiana water bodies. Due to high organic matter content of marsh soil, there likely will be greater amount of methylmercury.