The Influence of wetlands and watershed geology on lake chemistry of five remote lakes in Northwestern Ontario

Abstract

In chapter 1 of this study the relationship between spatial, chemical, and biological factors and their influence on mercury concentration s 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 Nortwesthern, Ontario, Canada and analyzed for metals, mercury, pH, and alkalinity. Arc GIS was used to extract spatial data from base map s 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 ANCOV A. The test proved that a significant difference was present (p=O.OOOO 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 E snagami had the lowest at 0.2228 ug/g.