In 2011-2014 SFEI and UC Davis developed and implemented a multi-species biosentinel monitoring approach as an effective and efficient way of monitoring methylmercury exposure in wetland restoration projects across the North Bay. The monitoring design for this project was developed with input from a Science Advisory Group (SAG) of regional and national experts and input from local stakeholders, in order to build a design that would address questions of management concern. The results of this study suggest multiple habitats should be monitored to provide adequate characterization of methylmercury risk across restoration projects over time. Using multiple biosentinel species helped capture variability within the system and facilitated comparisons across sites. These data establish a baseline for future monitoring of methylmercury risk in restoration projects across San Pablo Bay. Biosentinel monitoring can be used for generating hypotheses that can be tested using more in-depth process studies.

This project uses built on lessons learned from the North Bay Small Fish Project in 2008-2010.

The monitoring design for this project was influenced by the guiding principles for monitoring the Montezuma Wetland Restoration Project.

The state of knowledge and necessity of methylmercury monitoring in wetland restoration projects was discussed at the RMP Mercury Forum in 2013.

In 2016-2017 SFEI and UC Davis continued the same monitoring approach.

Dates: 
2012
Partners: 
Programs and Focus Areas: 
Clean Water Program
Fish Contamination
Data Services
Shoreline Resilience
Wetland Monitoring & Assessment
Location Information