Walleye in lakes with zebra mussels have higher mercury levels

Walleye in lakes with zebra mussels have higher mercury levels

By Kirsti Marohn

Source: MPR News

11/21/2024

Credit: Matthew Hintz / For MPR News

A new study has found another negative effect of invasive zebra mussels in lakes: higher levels of mercury in fish.

Researchers from the University of Minnesota, the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies studied 21 Minnesota lakes and compared mercury concentrations in the tissue of two species, walleye and yellow perch.

The results were unexpected: They found adult walleye in lakes infested with zebra mussels had 72% higher mercury concentrations than in lakes without the invaders. In yellow perch — a common prey for walleye — the mercury concentrations were 157% higher.

Lake Carlos

Walleye

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