Presenter: Ethan Childs (University of Maryland Eastern Shore)

Description:
Mercury (Hg) is a known environmental toxin that can have detrimental effects so it is important to understand its prevalence in the environment.  In this study, we analyzed Hg concentrations in aquatic sediments across the Eastern shore of Maryland. We downloaded data from the 2010 National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA-2010) and we collected sediment samples from estuarine waters of Maryland’s Eastern Shore for Hg analysis (UMES-2020).  Using these data sets we mapped-out Hg concentrations across this region and examined how Hg levels varied within each data set (NCCA-2010 & UMES-2020).  Within the NCCA-2010 data set, we categorized each site into one of four regions (Chesapeake Bay East, Chesapeake Bay West, Northern Maryland Coastal Bays and Southern Maryland Coastal Bays) but found no significant differences in Hg concentrations.  Within the UMES-2020 data set, we categorized each site into one of three regions (Manokin River, Northern Maryland Coastal Bays and Southern Maryland Coastal Bays).  We found that Hg levels were significantly lower in the Manokin River than in the Northern Maryland Coastal Bays.  Finally, we compared Hg levels between 2010 and 2020 for sites in the Maryland Coastal Bays (MCB) and found significantly lower levels of Hg in the MCB for 2020 when compared to 2010.  This pattern reflects the decreasing trends in atmospheric deposition across the US.