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Mercury |
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Research, Publications and Documentation Centre
Issue of Mercury for Hydro-Québec
The impoundment of hydroelectric reservoirs leads to the conversion of mercury already present in plants and flooded soil and its circulation in the aquatic environment. The result is an increase in fish mercury levels for a period ranging from 10 to 30 years depending on the fish species and reservoir characteristics. Since the early 1980s, Hydro-Québec has conducted an extensive mercury research program in order to determine the effects of this phenomenon on birds and mammals, and to manage the potential risk to the health of fish consumers.
The program's specific objectives are to:
- Study the fate of mercury in natural and modified environments in Northern Québec.
- Determine the effects of increased fish mercury levels on wildlife.
- Examine the health risks and benefits of fish consumption.
- Improve the methods of predicting the impacts of hydroelectric projects.
- Search for ways to mitigate the increase in fish mercury levels caused by reservoir impoundment.
Results
According to the results to date, mercury levels in modified environments are not harmful to populations of birds and mammals that eat fish. The communication programs established, in cooperation with regional public health authorities, to inform the public about the health risks and benefits associated with fish consumption show that recreational anglers and subsistence fishermen can continue to benefit from the great nutritional value of fish without incurring mercury-related risks.
Fact sheets
Other documents on this subject
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All these reports are available for consultation at Hydro-Québec's Environment Documentation Centre.
- GENIVAR. 2006. Aménagement hydroélectrique Sainte-Marguerite-3. Suivi environnemental 2005. Évolution des communautés de poissons et du mercure (Sainte-Marguerite-3 hydroelectric development. Environmental monitoring 2005. Changes in mercury and fish communities). Report submitted to Hydro-Québec by GENIVAR. 79 p. and apps. (Report in French)
English abstract [PDF]
- Therrien, J. 2006. Suivi environnemental du réservoir Robertson (1990-2005). Évolution des teneurs en mercure dans la chair des poissons (Environmental monitoring at Robertson reservoir [1990-2005]. Evolution of fish mercury levels). Report submitted to Hydro-Québec by GENIVAR. 57 p. and apps. (Report in French)
English abstract [PDF]
- Therrien, J. and R. Schetagne. 2005. Réseau de suivi environnemental du complexe La Grande (2003-2004). Évolution du mercure dans la chair des poissons (Environmental monitoring at the La Grande complex [2003-2004]. Evolution of fish mercury levels). Joint report by GENIVAR and Hydro-Québec. 82 p. and apps. (Report in French)
English abstract [PDF]
- Schetagne, R., J. Therrien and R. Lalumière. 2002. Environmental monitoring at the La Grande complex. Evolution of fish mercury levels. Summary report 1978-2000. Joint report by Hydro-Québec and GENIVAR. 185 p. and app.
Full summary report [PDF]
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Lucotte, M., R. Schetagne, N. Thérien, C. Langlois and A. Tremblay. 1999. Mercury in the biogeochemical cycle: Natural environments and hydroelectric reservoirs of northern Québec (Canada). New York: Springer. 334 p.
Summary [PDF]
This monograph may be consulted at the following university libraries:
- Bibliothèque des sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Bibliothèque des sciences et de génie, Université de Sherbrooke
- Schulich Library of Science and Engineering, McGill University
It is also available for consultation at Hydro-Québec's Environment Documentation Centre.
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To obtain copies of these guides, call 1 800 ENERGIE (363-7443).
- Hydro-Québec Production and Agence de la santé et des services sociaux du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. Guide de consommation des poissons pour les plans d'eau de la région de la rivière Manouane (Fish consumption guide for the water bodies of the Manouane River). Montréal: Hydro-Québec, 2007. (Guide in French)
1 folded map (26" x 28", 67 cm x 71 cm)
Recto [PDF-7 Mb] Verso [PDF-2 Mb]
- Hydro-Québec and Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. The northern fish nutrition guide. La Grande Complex. Montréal: Hydro-Québec, 2004. 46 p. (5.5" x 8.5" , 14 cm x 22 cm)
Guide [PDF]
- Hydro-Québec Production and Régie régionale de la santé et des services sociaux de la Côte-Nord. Guide de consommation des poissons pour les plans d'eau de la région de la rivière Sainte-Marguerite (Fish consumption guide for the water bodies of the Sainte-Marguerite River region). Montréal: Hydro-Québec, 2003. (Guide in French)
1 folded map (22" x 35", 56 cm x 89 cm)
Guide [PDF]
- Hydro-Québec Production and Régie régionale de la santé et des services sociaux de la Côte-Nord. Fish consumption guide of the Gros Mécatina region. Montréal: Hydro-Québec, 2002. 1 folded map (23" x 26", 58.5 cm x 66 cm)
- Hydro-Québec and Centre hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Unité de recherche en santé publique. Fish consumption guide for the water bodies of the Nottaway, Broadback and Rupert region. Montréal: Hydro-Québec, 2001. 1 folded map
(25" x 36", 63 cm x 92 cm)
- Hydro-Québec and Centre hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Unité de recherche en santé publique. Fish consumption guide for the water bodies of the La Grande complex and of the Grande rivière de la Baleine and Petite rivière de la Baleine regions. Montréal: Hydro-Québec, 2001. 1 folded map (25" x 36", 63 cm x 92 cm)
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Dimensions: 11" x 17" (28 cm x 43 cm)
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