| In chapter 1 of this study the relationship between spatial, chemical, and biological factors and their influence on mercury concentrations in walleye were examined. Water, sediment, and fish tissue samples were collected in the summer of the 2008 from 5 lakes near Aroland First Nation, in Nortwestern, Ontario, Canada and analyzed for metals, mercury, pH, and alkalinity. Arc GIS was used to extract spatial data from base maps and digital elevation models, in order to calculate lake area, watershed area, and wetland area for each study lake. Hg concentrations in fish tissue were compared between lakes using a standardized length using an ANCOVA. The test proved that a significant difference was present (p=0.0000 with 95% confidence intervals). Walleye (Sander vitreum) from Melchett Lake had the highest levels of mercury with a mean concentration of 0,5505ug/g, while Esnagami had the lowest at 0.2228 ug/g. |
