Enclosure (1) TO COMDTINST 16478.12
Tennessee River
The evaluation of sediment mercury concentrations at Tennessee River AtoNs
revealed no patterns relative to number of batteries present or proximity to
battery piles. Mercury values at all AtoNs were below literature reported
background levels but generally comparable to or above background values
measured as part of the investigation at unlighted AtoNs (Figure 3-7). Two
AtoNs, Patton Island lower (PTL) and upper (PTU) had noticeably elevated
mercury levels but literature researched showed that they were at the mouth of
a tributary with documented mercury contamination in the watershed.
Similar to the sediment results, the analysis of biological tissue samples
from the Tennessee River revealed no pattern of total mercury concentration
relative to number or position of batteries. They also exhibited low
concentrations relative to background, and in comparison to levels associated
with risk. The levels of methyl mercury in the sediments were also low,
substantiating the finding of low bio availability and bio concentration and
thus low risk.
3-7
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