Mercury became a global environmental pollutant with the rise of industrialization. Mercury emitted to the atmosphere is able to reach every part of the planet because it can remain airborne for more than a year. However, mercury does not become a potent neurotoxin until it is methylated by bacteria in low oxygen aquatic environments. Once methylated, mercury bioaccumulates within an organism and biomagnifies through the food web and can reach dangerous levels in fish that threaten human and wildlife health. To better understand how the structure and function of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems alter mercury bioavailability and ultimately mercury burden, we utilize the Lake George watershed and waterbodies throughout the Northeast to ask relevant research questions aimed to better understand how mercury dynamics will change under future climate and mercury emission scenarios.
