Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Library of Documents on Mercury Contamination
Sections

Library of Documents on Mercury Contamination

There are statewide fish advisories in North Carolina and South Carolina for mercury. The primary source of the mercury contamination is emissions from coal-fired power plants. This section contains information about the sources of mercury contamination and impact of mercury exposure.

Power Plants and Mercury
2005 report by the Environment Maine Research & Policy Center on the relationship between powerplants and mercury in the aquatic environment.
Mercury Pollution from Powerplants: Myths vs. Facts
2004 Factsheet from the National Wildlife Federation.
Mercury in North Carolina
Information about mercury exposure in North Carolina (summarized from DENR website).
USGS Finds 100% Mercury Contamination in US Streams
Mercury contamination is widespread. Mercury was detected in all fish sampled from 291 streams across the U.S. Concentrations about 27% of the fish sampled exceeded the criterion for the protection of humans who consume average amounts of fish, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (0.3 parts per million, wet weight).
Top 50 Emission Point Sources in NC - table
 
Top 50 Mercury Emission Point Sources in NC - map
 
Memo on Scientific Advisory Board Review of Mercury
 
Mercury Overview - Powerpoint Slides
Presentation prepared by Eden Tedla (summer intern from UNCC) regarding mercury issues in North Carolina
CATAWBA RIVER FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES DRASTICALLY EXPANDED
State officials in North and South Carolina issued health advisories urging the public to stay away from largemouth bass and channel catfish in large portions of the Catawba River and its lakes due to contamination from polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs. These advisories come after years of prodding by Catawba Riverkeeper.
Fish testing timeline
Fish testing timeline
Catawba Fish Sampling Request Letter
Send a letter to NC Division of Water Quality requesting additional sampling of Catawba River lakes and species for PCB contamination. Use our letter as an example.
Dec 2011 PCB Test Results from Middle Catawba
PCB test results from Lake Wylie, Mountain Island Lake and Lake Norman. Testing conducted by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and NC Division of Water Quality.
Document Actions
Covekeeper Meetings

Join us for our monthly Covekeeper Meetings:

Lake James: 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. - 4794 E. Shores Dr., Morganton, NC.

Lake Hickory & Lake Rhodhiss: 3rd Monday at 7 p.m. - 320 Mauney Hall at Lenoir-Rhyne College 

Lake Norman: 4th Thursday - East Lincoln Fire Department on South Pilot Knob Road off Hwy. 16.

Mountain Island Lake: 2nd Monday at 7 p.m. - Cooks Presbyterian Church

Lake Wylie: 2nd Wednesday at 7 p.m. - T-Bones on the Lake 

Lake Wateree: 2nd Thursday at 7 p.m. - Dutchman Creek Fire Dept. 

Please check the calendar section of the website to verify the meeting time and location.

News
Jan 30, 2012 Catawba River One of Top 10 Endangered Places in the South
On January 26, 2012, the Southern Environmental Law Center announced its annual list of the Top 10 Endangered Places in the Solutheastern U.S. The Catawba-Wateree River was back on the list as the 3rd most endangered place in the Southeast because of the threats from coal ash, power plant water use and unnecessary reservoirs.
Jan 26, 2012 Soil runoff from Target project still damaging stream
Catawba Riverkeeper volunteers have been closely monitoring the development of the new Target store near Cox Road and I-85. This project required moving a large portion of a hillside and rerouting a stream. As reported in the article, it is questionable about whether it is feasible to limit sedimentation in the short-term and whether the site will be stable over the long term.
Jan 18, 2012 Catawba Riverkeeper Files Lawsuit Against SCE&G
On January 12, 2012, The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Catawba Riverkeeper, filed a lawsuit against SCE&G to require a cleanup of coal ash ponds with a long history of leakage.
Jan 07, 2012 Coal Ash Dumping on the Rise
The Environmental Integrity Project reports that toxic coal ash dumping on the rise in the South.
Dec 15, 2011 Concerns Raised Again About Coal Ash Pond on Wateree River
Coal ash pervasive: 2 billion pounds of power plant waste gets in ponds, landfills in SC.
More news…
Alliances

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, River Network, the North Carolina Conservation Network, and the Waterkeeper Alliance.  EarthShare North Carolina makes it possible for employees to support the environment through workplace giving programs.  River Network’s mission is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the health of our country.  The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates to achieve equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment.  The Waterkeeper Alliance is a worldwide network of advocates for protection of our water resources.  For more information about these organizations or to inquire about enrolling your employer in EarthShare NC, please contact CRF@catawbariverkeeper.org.

EarthShare of North Carolina Logo

 

NC Conservation Network Logo

 

River Network Logo

    

Waterkeeper Alliance Logo

 
Make a Donation

Your River needs you as much as you need the River

Donate Here

River maps and Recreational options

Maps

Recreation

Report Pollution in the Catawba River

Help protect your River! 

Tell your Riverkeeper if you see:

  • Sewage Overflows
  • Failure to control sediment from construction sites
  • Illegal clearing of buffer areas
  • Fish kills 
  • Invasive aquatic species
  • Exceeding Pollution Limits
  • Discharges exceeding allowable limits
  • Unpermitted discharges
  • Other issues that concern you

Click here to fill out a pollution report or

Call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494 (ext. 3)

How to contact your NC Legislator

Sometimes you just can't get the action that is needed to protect our water without contacting your legislator.  To find out who represents you in the North Carolina legislature and how to contact them, click here.

 
421 Minuet Ln Ste 205 . Charlotte, NC 28217-2784 . Phone: 704.679.9494 . Fax: 704.679.9559