Mercury and Methlymercury Levels in Water, Sediment and Biota – USGS Student Internship for Nicholas Ostroski

The overall goal of this project is to collect background data on mercury and methylmercury levels in water, sediment, and biota (pelagic and benthic) from across the Great Lakes. The USGS Mercury Research Lab is currently funded to establish mercury and methylmercury levels in these matrices through collaborative efforts aboard the USEPA’s Lake Guardian research vessel during its April and August cruises. Each cruise collects samples at about 80 locations across the Great Lakes. All samples are collected using trace-metal-clean techniques, and subsequent analysis are conducted at the USGS Mercury Research Lab. The incumbent for this position will conduct all work (outside the field trips) at the USGS lab. Expected results from this study will lead to the first Great Lakes wide data base on mercury and methylmercury, and will be used for the construction and calibration of a numerical model.