Mercury in Till, Kejimkujik National Park Area (NTS 21A/06), Nova Scotia

Environment Canada (1998) identified loons in Kejimkujik National Park (Fig. 1) as having the highest levels of mercury (Hg) concentration in blood of any loon population tested in North America. A multi-disciplinary team of research scientists has been studying the potential source(s) and process(es) that may account for the anomalous Hg levels in loons from the park. As part of the overall research objective, this study examines naturally occurring (geogenic) Hg in the <63 micron size fraction of till in the Kejimkujik National Park area as a possible source of Hg in the food chain.