Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2005LA32B

Total mercury and methylmercury in Louisiana fresh, brackish and salt marsh

Institute: Louisiana
Year Established: 2005 Start Date: 2005-03-01 End Date: 2006-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $13,951 Total Non-Federal Funds: $33,397

Principal Investigators: Istvan Devai, Ronald DeLaune

Project Summary: 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.