Impact of WWII and Stormwater Discharges on the Mercury Status of Fish from Saipan Lagoon, Saipan, CNMI

G. R. W. Denton, J. O. Cruz, M. S. Trianni, M. C. Tenorio, R. S. Masga

2018

Abstract

Total mercury levels were examined in emperor fish (Lethrinus harak and L. atkinsoni) from 14 coastal sites along the entire length of Saipan Lagoon. These carnivorous species are abundant throughout the lagoon and are prized tablefish among local residents. Monitoring their mercury content is therefore important from a public health standpoint. Additionally, both species have relatively restricted foraging ranges; hence they are ideal candidates for delineating areas of mercury enrichment in their immediate environment. As expected, relatively high mercury levels were found in specimens from the most industrialized stretch of coastline in the central region of the lagoon. In one notable instance, however, considerably higher concentrations were encountered in specimens taken from more remotely located waters further south. Surface sediments taken along seaward transects from the coast in this section, supported the fish data and revealed atypical mercury concentration profiles that frequently increased with increased distance offshore. These unusual findings were attributed to the extensive use of mercury in WWII munitions, and to the heavy bombardment of Saipan during the US invasion of the island in 1944. All evidence in support of this contention is presented here.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Denton G., Cruz J., Trianni M., Tenorio M. and Masga R. (2018). Impact of WWII and Stormwater Discharges on the Mercury Status of Fish from Saipan Lagoon, Saipan, CNMI.In Proceedings of the International Workshop on Environmental Management, Science and Engineering - Volume 1: IWEMSE, ISBN 978-989-758-344-5, pages 278-284. DOI: 10.5220/0007559902780284

in Bibtex Style

@conference{iwemse18,
author={G. R. W. Denton and J. O. Cruz and M. S. Trianni and M. C. Tenorio and R. S. Masga},
title={Impact of WWII and Stormwater Discharges on the Mercury Status of Fish from Saipan Lagoon, Saipan, CNMI},
booktitle={Proceedings of the International Workshop on Environmental Management, Science and Engineering - Volume 1: IWEMSE,},
year={2018},
pages={278-284},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0007559902780284},
isbn={978-989-758-344-5},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the International Workshop on Environmental Management, Science and Engineering - Volume 1: IWEMSE,
TI - Impact of WWII and Stormwater Discharges on the Mercury Status of Fish from Saipan Lagoon, Saipan, CNMI
SN - 978-989-758-344-5
AU - Denton G.
AU - Cruz J.
AU - Trianni M.
AU - Tenorio M.
AU - Masga R.
PY - 2018
SP - 278
EP - 284
DO - 10.5220/0007559902780284