Altered gill morphology in benthic macroinvertebrates from mercury enriched streams in the Neversink Reservoir Watershed, New York.

Aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected from five sites in the Neversink Reservoir Watershed in Sullivan County, New York: Aden Brook, Biscuit Brook, Main Branch, Tison and Winnisook, and examined for gill abnormalities. The Neversink Reservoir is part of the New York City water supply system and is located in the Catskill Mountains. Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were measured by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) in composite samples of macroinvertebrates at the five sites and ranged from 13.

Mercury uptake and accumulation by four species of aquatic plants.

The effectiveness of four aquatic plants including water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), zebra rush (Scirpus tabernaemontani) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) were evaluated for their capabilities in removing mercury from water. The plants were exposed to concentrations of 0 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L or 2 mg/L of mercury for 30 days.