Researchers Study Lake Mercury

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Story Created: Jul 6, 2009 at 6:10 AM CST

Story Updated: Jul 6, 2009 at 6:10 AM CST

Research may have found the reason that some South Dakota lakes show elevated levels of mercury, which can show up in fish.

High levels of mercury prompt advisories to limit eating fish from the lake.

Research at South Dakota State University suggests that prairie lakes which expand in size during wet cycles are more likely to have more mercury. The theory is that a flooded lake absorbs more mercury from the soil as it covers more land.

Other findings are that higher mercury levels diminish the natural reproduction success of perch and walleyes, and that mercury levels in fish are highest in spring.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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