Deleterious health effects in humans and wildlife are associated with the consumption of fish contaminated by mercury (Hg). This study was conducted to assess Hg concentrations in biota of the Finger Lakes (New York, USA), a region where fisheries are important for the economy but where no assessment of the drivers of food web Hg dynamics exists to date. Additionally, this region is of interest for the study of Hg bioaccumulation because of the importance of agricultural land cover, which can affect lake trophic status and thus the bioavailability of methyl Hg (MeHg). The study objectives were to (1) assess if fish Hg concentrations were of concern to humans and wildlife, (2) determine if differences in biota Hg concentrations exist among lakes, and (3) assess models developed for New York State as predictors of present day Finger Lakes fish Hg concentrations. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to assess predictors of fish Hg concentrations using lower trophic level MeHg concentrations, water quality, and lake and land cover characteristics. Fish concentrations were above the EPA criterion (300 ng/g wet weight, ww) in 24% of fish, but only Walleye (Sander vitreus) from Owasco Lake exceeded New York State Department of Health consumption guidelines (1000 ng/g ww). The threshold indicating biological changes within fish (500 ng/g ww) was exceeded in 11% of the individuals sampled. Significant differences were found among lakes for all fish species except Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). Notably, Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) had significantly lower Hg concentrations in Cayuga Lake compared to other Finger Lakes. This trend was not mirrored in the lower food web, as benthic invertebrates had higher MeHg concentrations in Cayuga Lake. Using models developed for New York State in 2003–2005, observed concentrations in 90% of fish were different (±200 ng/g ww) than expected. Findings from this study suggest Hg dynamics in the Finger Lakes require consideration of fish age, growth rates, and food web structure to accurately predict fish Hg concentrations among lakes.

对人类和野生生物的有害健康影响与汞（Hg）污染的鱼类的消费有关。这项研究的目的是评估手指湖（美国纽约）生物区中的汞浓度，该地区的渔业对经济很重要，但迄今为止尚无评估食物网中汞动态的驱动因素。此外，由于农业土地覆盖的重要性，该地区对于汞生物富集的研究非常重要，因为这可能会影响湖泊的营养状况，从而影响甲基汞（MeHg）的生物利用度。研究目标是（1）评估人类和野生动植物是否关注鱼类汞的浓度，（2）确定湖泊之间生物群汞浓度是否存在差异，（3）评估为纽约州开发的模型，这些模型可以作为当今手指湖中鱼类汞含量的预测指标。还进行了探索性分析，以使用较低营养水平的甲基汞浓度，水质以及湖泊和土地覆盖特征来评估鱼类汞浓度的预测指标。在24％的鱼中，鱼的浓度高于EPA标准（300 ng / g湿重，ww），但只有Walleye（来自Owasco湖的Sander vitreus）超过了纽约州卫生部的消费指南（1000 ng / g ww）。在11％的采样个体中，超过了表明鱼类内生物变化的阈值（500 ng / g ww）。除大嘴鲈（Micropterus salmoides）外，所有鱼类的湖泊之间都存在显着差异。鳟鱼湖（Salvelinus namaycush）与其他手指湖相比，卡尤加湖中的汞浓度明显较低。这种趋势在较低的食物网中没有得到反映，因为底栖无脊椎动物在卡尤加湖中的甲基汞浓度较高。使用2003-2005年为纽约州开发的模型，观察到的90％鱼类中的浓度与预期的不同（±200 ng / g ww）。这项研究的发现表明，手指湖中的汞动态需要考虑鱼的年龄，生长速度和食物网结构，才能准确预测湖中鱼的汞浓度。