Lake Melville

CONTENTS
5. Sediments and organic carbon.......................................................................................................... 41
5.1. Introduction......................................................................................................................................41
5.2. Methods and approach................................................................................................................. 42
5.3. Understanding the sediment and organic carbon cycle of Lake Melville....................... 43
5.4. Future changes to sediment and organic carbon inputs to Lake Melville.......................47
6. Methylmercury........................................................................................................................................49
6.1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 49
6.2. Methods and approach................................................................................................................. 50
6.3. Methylmercury production and biological uptake in the ecosystem............................... 53
6.4. Methylmercury concentrations in country foods................................................................... 56
6.5. Current methylmercury exposures in the Inuit population................................................ 56
6.6. Potential impacts of Muskrat Falls flooding on methylmercury
in Lake Melville............................................................................................................................... 59
6.7. Potential changes in methylmercury exposures of Inuit resulting
from Muskrat Falls flooding......................................................................................................... 60
7. Concluding comments.......................................................................................................................... 63
8. References...............................................................................................................................................64
9. Abbreviations and acronyms..............................................................................................................69
10. Appendices............................................................................................................................................. 70
10.1. Climate............................................................................................................................................. 70
10.2. Sediments and organic carbon..................................................................................................71
10.3. Methylmercury...............................................................................................................................76