Coal-fired power plants in Ohio are contributing to above-average mercury levels in the state’s water, according to the research of an Ohio U. professor.
Kevin Crist, a chemical engineering professor, has been researching mercury deposition for about six years.
His findings have determined that the level of mercury in Athens’ water is above average, and up to 70 percent of mercury in local water comes from global emissions from as far away as China and India. However, some of the mercury comes from local, coal burning power plants.
“This part of the United States is a little higher than other areas, but is not exceptionally high,” said Crist, whose study focuses on the Ohio River Valley and Great Lakes. Crist received about $1.26 million from the Department of Energy for his study.
The study is ongoing and recent numbers are still being determined, Crist said. But in 2008, Athens water measured about 9.8 nanograms of mercury per liter, according to the National Atmospheric Deposition Program. This is higher than other areas, which measure 7 or 8 nanograms per liter.
“It comes from plants and incinerators; there are lots of different sources,” Crist said, adding that mercury from these sources stays in the atmosphere initially but escapes into water sources when it rains and builds up in the fish.
David Gay, program director for the Mercury Deposition Network at the NADP, said rainfall is one of the most important factors that contribute to mercury levels.
“In the Midwest and Southwest, rainfalls tend to be smaller, so the atmosphere tends to be dirtier and there’s more dilution – more water to spread the mercury in,” Gay said.
The mercury is safe in the water itself, but wildlife around local water accumulates mercury, Gay said
“There are higher concentrations in animals eating the fish and living in the area,” Gay said.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency suggests that Ohioans limit their consumption of local fish to one or two meals a week for most species, according to a 2010 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory.
Dangerous mercury levels affect everyone, but the biggest concern is Ohio’s youngest residents, Gay said.
“This especially affects pregnant women, women of childbearing age,” he said. “That’s who we’re most concerned about.”