Thanks to a comment from NVMojo which led me to an interesting link about Idaho and Nevada Reservoirs:
Fish tissue samples taken from rainbow trout collected from four Idaho
and Nevada reservoirs revealed elevated concentrations of
methylmercury, according to data released by the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian
Reservation. The Tribes and USGS collaborated on and jointly funded the
study. The tissue samples were analyzed at the USGS Mercury Research
Laboratory in Middleton, WI“The concentrations found were generally elevated for rainbow trout,”
said Terry Maret, the USGS scientist who directed the sampling. Maret
referred to a study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, which found that the average mercury concentration in rainbow
trout across the United States was about 0.11 parts per million (ppm),
wet weight. “About 70% of the fish filets analyzed were above this,” he
said. (DesUSA)
Although results from the Nevada site at the Wildhorse reservoir, near Elko, were not analyzed, fish from the Idaho sites had enough mercury in them that the USGS recommended that pregnant women and children avoid eating large amounts. Why? Because mercury will trash kids’ brains.
But, where, oh, where does it come from?
Methylmercury is the most toxic form of mercury, and methylmercury
contamination is an issue of concern in the intermountain West. Mining
operations, coal-fired power plants, and other sources emit inorganic
mercury to the atmosphere. Inorganic mercury is converted to
methylmercury, an organic form, by anaerobic organisms living in water,
sediments, and soils. Several other Idaho fisheries have been found to
contain unsafe levels of methylmercury. “Reservoirs and wetlands offer
an environment favorable to methylation of mercury,” said Maret.
Gee, I hope Mercury Jim enjoys the fishing near his new $575,000 home in Elko. Just don’t eat ‘em cuz it will degrade cognitive function…. Huh. I wonder if we’d be able to tell the difference?
Great gathering of info! I knew about the Duck Valley tribe part but not this major study. You know that Idaho and Utah have threatened to sue Nevada for our mercury emissions coming from the processing plants of our gold mines up there?
The problem is that coal-fired power plants are somewhat regulated on emissions but not gold mine
processing plants.
Two years ago the Nevada Dept of Env. Protection went through a rewrite of rules relating to “regulating” the mines on this but let the mines write the rules.
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Submitted by Rocky Barker on Wed, 10/24/2007 – 7:23am.
Nevada keeps finding more large sources of mercury among the gold mines that are among the biggest drivers of its rural economy. Unfortunately for Idaho we are downwind of these mercury emissions that accumulate in fish and can cause brain damage and learning disabilities in babies and young children.
The Idaho Conservation League has sent two additional “notice of intent to sue” letters to to the Florida Canyon Mine and Kennecott’s Denton-Rawhide Mine for failing to lawfully report these mercury emissions.
New data, collected by the state of Nevada, showed that in 2006 the Florida Canyon Mine emitted over 440 pounds of mercury and the Denton-Rawhide had emissions of over 350 pounds. Both mines reported little or no emissions previously.
Idaho officials and the ICL have been pressing Nevada gold mines to reduce mercury emissions since 2005. That when Idaho National Laboratory testing found that mercury levels in the air south of Twin Falls rose 30 to 70 percent higher than normal levels when winds blew from the southwest, where the Nevada gold mines are located.
It also found higher than normal mercury levels in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir near Nevada’s border. The reservoir is one of Idaho’s water bodies where health officials have issued fish-consumption advisories, warning women of child-bearing age and children to eat only one fish meal a week because of mercury contamination.
http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2007/10/24/rockybarker/more_nevada_gold_mines_spew_more_toxic_mercury_than_they_reported
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A nearly 2-year-old program requires Nevada mines to report their emissions to the state.
The ICL alleges mercury emitted from Nevada mines falls downwind and jeopardizes the health of Idaho residents. A sometimes naturally occurring element, mercury is known to cause health problems, especially for expecting mothers. Numerous Idaho waterways are contaminated with mercury, and the state has warned people to limit their fish intake from these waters.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has studied mercury at Salmon Falls Reservoir, which contains at least 200 pounds of suspended mercury, for nearly two years. The department has indicated Nevada mines could be a source for the contamination but is yet to identify the mines as primary contributors.
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2007/10/24/news/local_state/123243.txt
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With concern mounting that Nevada gold mines are belching clouds of toxic mercury downwind to neighboring states, officials are being urged to tighten regulations regarding the dangerous pollutant.
Environmentalists insist a stricter system to measure, monitor and reduce airborne discharge of mercury from mines must be put in place and say they’re ready to force the issue.
“Your state is doing something of such scale that it’s affecting health and quality of life in our state,” said Justin Hayes of the Idaho Conservation League. The group, concerned over mercury-contaminated fish found in Idaho, has threatened to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over “excessive, unhealthy amounts” of mercury emissions from Nevada mines. “This is not a pressing health issue for the people in Reno. For the people in Idaho and Utah, this absolutely is a human health issue,” Hayes said. “Nevada’s at the point where they need to address this or they’re going to lose control of this issue.”
But officials from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, the EPA and mining industry representatives counter that a voluntary program launched in 2001 has significantly cut back on mercury emissions by the state’s four largest gold mining companies. They say the program should soon be improved and likely will expand to other, smaller mining operations.
http://www.greatbasinminewatch.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=108
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You know about the link between mercury in the blood and autism? That disease that hurts some of Nevada’s kids and the Gube budget doesn’t cover in assistance?
http://truthspace.wordpress.com/2007/12/14/blood-levels-of-mercury-are-related-to-diagnosis-of-autism-%e2%80%93/