Dr. Ben Peterson’s lab stepped aboard the R/V Neeskay and made the trip to Georgian Bay in Lake Huron to conduct research on mercury contamination, with a specific interest in how the quagga mussels are impacting mercury fate and transport in the system. CTV News Barrie, a local news station, interviewed Dr. Peterson and Captain Max to learn more about this project funded by Georgian Bay Forever.
Simcoe County is famous for its many lakes and rivers, but the pristine water hides a deadly element. Now, a team of researchers are trying to do something about it.
Aboard the research vessel Neeskay in Parry Sound, they are serious about water.
The scientists on board are on a five-year mission to learn as much as they can about mercury in the waters of the Great Lakes.
“Even a small amount of mercury in the system can result in toxic levels of mercury in fish,” said Ben Peterson, School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Scientists say a lot of mercury was dumped into the Great Lakes during the Industrial Revolution, and while much less is entering the water these days, what is already there remains a problem.