A USGS researcher shows off a dragonfly larva found during benthic macroinvertibrate sampling in Reston, Virginia.
The Dragonfly Mercury Project measures mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae from U.S. National Parks and other protected places across the country. This information helps scientists, resource managers, and policymakers assess potential environmental health risks due to mercury, track patterns over time, and assess the efficacy of mercury mitigation efforts. Explore this website to learn more about the project, access data and publications, and find out how you can get involved.
Our Story
Our Story
View the Dragonfly Mercury Project storymap to learn more about mercury pollution, citizen science, and view results from across the country using interactive figures.
Dragonfly Mercury Project Data
Dragonfly Mercury Project Data
The Dragonfly Mercury Project's data is publicly available and accessible via the Data Dashboard. Users can also download Annual Data Fliers with summary information on mercury levels in individual parks and protected areas.
The Dragonfly Mercury Project is a nationwide research, surveillance, and monitoring project that leverages the valuable contributions of citizen scientists across the country. Volunteers collect dragonfly larvae from waterbodies in National Parks, wildlife refuges, and other protected areas. Scientists measure the amount of mercury in the larvae, which are an effective indicator of water quality and the health of local aquatic animals. This research helps the National Park Service, other resource managers, and policymakers understand the risk posed by mercury to park resources including air, water, lands, wildlife, and park visitors.
Our goals are to:
- Identify areas where mercury levels could threaten the health of wildlife and humans
- Develop tools to improve understanding and management of mercury risks
- Evaluate the effectiveness of mercury emission reduction programs and policies
- Educate the public about science and mercury pollution
- Get volunteers and communities involved in research in their local parks
Led by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service, the Dragonfly Mercury Project is a collaborative effort involving many organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Appalachian Mountain Club, and Dartmouth College.
Want to get involved? Find out how on this National Park Service web page.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Dragonfly Larvae are Effective Bioindicators of Mercury Exposure in Fish and Amphibians—Results of Citizen Science in 100 National Parks and Protected Places
Mercury concentrations were measured in dragonfly larvae across more than 450 sites in 100 national parks and protected places as part of a partnership among Federal agencies, academic researchers, and more than 4,000 citizen scientists. Mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae were positively correlated with mercury concentrations in fish and amphibians living in the same aquatic environments...
Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
The FRESC Contaminant Ecology research program evaluates the distribution, movement, and ecological effects of environmental contaminants across the landscape and strives to provide relevant science in support of natural resource conservation, management, and decision making.
Larval Dragonfly
A USGS researcher shows off a dragonfly larva found during benthic macroinvertibrate sampling in Reston, Virginia.
Dragonfly Mercury Project specimen collection in Glacier NP
Researchers instruct volunteers on how to collect dragonfly larvae in Glacier NP as a part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Researchers instruct volunteers on how to collect dragonfly larvae in Glacier NP as a part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Collecting larval fish for the Dragonfly Mercury Project
Between 2009 and 2018, scientists conducted a national scale assessment of mercury accumulation in the National Park System using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels (species that accumulate a pollutant in their tissues as an index of exposure to other organisms without significant adverse effects to the biosentinel) through a citizen science network called the Dragonf
Between 2009 and 2018, scientists conducted a national scale assessment of mercury accumulation in the National Park System using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels (species that accumulate a pollutant in their tissues as an index of exposure to other organisms without significant adverse effects to the biosentinel) through a citizen science network called the Dragonf
Yellowstone National Park Dragonfly Mercury Project Sampling
This image shows citizen scientists along with National Park Service personnel identifying invertebrates as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
This image shows citizen scientists along with National Park Service personnel identifying invertebrates as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Rocky Mountain NP Dragonfly Mercury Project sampling
Citizen scientists after a day of collecting dragonfly larvae for the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Citizen scientists after a day of collecting dragonfly larvae for the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Collecting dragonfly larvae for the Dragonfly Mercury Project
Between 2009 and 2018, scientists conducted a national scale assessment of mercury accumulation in the National Park System using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels (species that accumulate a pollutant in their tissues as an index of exposure to other organisms without significant adverse effects to the biosentinel) through a citizen science network called the Dragonf
Between 2009 and 2018, scientists conducted a national scale assessment of mercury accumulation in the National Park System using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels (species that accumulate a pollutant in their tissues as an index of exposure to other organisms without significant adverse effects to the biosentinel) through a citizen science network called the Dragonf
Dragonfly (Aeshnidae) larvae
Dragonfly larvae are ideal mercury biosentinels and can be used to predict concentrations in co-located fish species.
Dragonfly larvae are ideal mercury biosentinels and can be used to predict concentrations in co-located fish species.
Sampling dragonfly larvae in Sand Point Lake
Sample of dragonfly larvae in water in bottom of zip-lock plastic bag, held at horizon level with lake. At Sand Point Lake in Voyageurs National Park.
Sample of dragonfly larvae in water in bottom of zip-lock plastic bag, held at horizon level with lake. At Sand Point Lake in Voyageurs National Park.
skimmer dragonfly (Odonata: Libellulidae)
skimmer dragonfly (Odonata: Libellulidae)
skimmer dragonfly (Odonata: Libellulidae)
USGS news related to Dragonfly Mercury Project research.
Dragonflies Reveal Surprising Insights into Mercury Pollution
A new study has unveiled surprising findings about mercury pollution: where it comes from and how it moves through the environment varies significantly depending on the ecosystem.
The Dragonfly Mercury Project measures mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae from U.S. National Parks and other protected places across the country. This information helps scientists, resource managers, and policymakers assess potential environmental health risks due to mercury, track patterns over time, and assess the efficacy of mercury mitigation efforts. Explore this website to learn more about the project, access data and publications, and find out how you can get involved.
Our Story
Our Story
View the Dragonfly Mercury Project storymap to learn more about mercury pollution, citizen science, and view results from across the country using interactive figures.
Dragonfly Mercury Project Data
Dragonfly Mercury Project Data
The Dragonfly Mercury Project's data is publicly available and accessible via the Data Dashboard. Users can also download Annual Data Fliers with summary information on mercury levels in individual parks and protected areas.
The Dragonfly Mercury Project is a nationwide research, surveillance, and monitoring project that leverages the valuable contributions of citizen scientists across the country. Volunteers collect dragonfly larvae from waterbodies in National Parks, wildlife refuges, and other protected areas. Scientists measure the amount of mercury in the larvae, which are an effective indicator of water quality and the health of local aquatic animals. This research helps the National Park Service, other resource managers, and policymakers understand the risk posed by mercury to park resources including air, water, lands, wildlife, and park visitors.
Our goals are to:
- Identify areas where mercury levels could threaten the health of wildlife and humans
- Develop tools to improve understanding and management of mercury risks
- Evaluate the effectiveness of mercury emission reduction programs and policies
- Educate the public about science and mercury pollution
- Get volunteers and communities involved in research in their local parks
Led by researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service, the Dragonfly Mercury Project is a collaborative effort involving many organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Appalachian Mountain Club, and Dartmouth College.
Want to get involved? Find out how on this National Park Service web page.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Dragonfly Larvae are Effective Bioindicators of Mercury Exposure in Fish and Amphibians—Results of Citizen Science in 100 National Parks and Protected Places
Mercury concentrations were measured in dragonfly larvae across more than 450 sites in 100 national parks and protected places as part of a partnership among Federal agencies, academic researchers, and more than 4,000 citizen scientists. Mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae were positively correlated with mercury concentrations in fish and amphibians living in the same aquatic environments...
Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
The FRESC Contaminant Ecology research program evaluates the distribution, movement, and ecological effects of environmental contaminants across the landscape and strives to provide relevant science in support of natural resource conservation, management, and decision making.
Larval Dragonfly
A USGS researcher shows off a dragonfly larva found during benthic macroinvertibrate sampling in Reston, Virginia.
A USGS researcher shows off a dragonfly larva found during benthic macroinvertibrate sampling in Reston, Virginia.
Dragonfly Mercury Project specimen collection in Glacier NP
Researchers instruct volunteers on how to collect dragonfly larvae in Glacier NP as a part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Researchers instruct volunteers on how to collect dragonfly larvae in Glacier NP as a part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Collecting larval fish for the Dragonfly Mercury Project
Between 2009 and 2018, scientists conducted a national scale assessment of mercury accumulation in the National Park System using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels (species that accumulate a pollutant in their tissues as an index of exposure to other organisms without significant adverse effects to the biosentinel) through a citizen science network called the Dragonf
Between 2009 and 2018, scientists conducted a national scale assessment of mercury accumulation in the National Park System using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels (species that accumulate a pollutant in their tissues as an index of exposure to other organisms without significant adverse effects to the biosentinel) through a citizen science network called the Dragonf
Yellowstone National Park Dragonfly Mercury Project Sampling
This image shows citizen scientists along with National Park Service personnel identifying invertebrates as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
This image shows citizen scientists along with National Park Service personnel identifying invertebrates as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Rocky Mountain NP Dragonfly Mercury Project sampling
Citizen scientists after a day of collecting dragonfly larvae for the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Citizen scientists after a day of collecting dragonfly larvae for the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Collecting dragonfly larvae for the Dragonfly Mercury Project
Between 2009 and 2018, scientists conducted a national scale assessment of mercury accumulation in the National Park System using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels (species that accumulate a pollutant in their tissues as an index of exposure to other organisms without significant adverse effects to the biosentinel) through a citizen science network called the Dragonf
Between 2009 and 2018, scientists conducted a national scale assessment of mercury accumulation in the National Park System using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels (species that accumulate a pollutant in their tissues as an index of exposure to other organisms without significant adverse effects to the biosentinel) through a citizen science network called the Dragonf
Dragonfly (Aeshnidae) larvae
Dragonfly larvae are ideal mercury biosentinels and can be used to predict concentrations in co-located fish species.
Dragonfly larvae are ideal mercury biosentinels and can be used to predict concentrations in co-located fish species.
Sampling dragonfly larvae in Sand Point Lake
Sample of dragonfly larvae in water in bottom of zip-lock plastic bag, held at horizon level with lake. At Sand Point Lake in Voyageurs National Park.
Sample of dragonfly larvae in water in bottom of zip-lock plastic bag, held at horizon level with lake. At Sand Point Lake in Voyageurs National Park.
skimmer dragonfly (Odonata: Libellulidae)
skimmer dragonfly (Odonata: Libellulidae)
skimmer dragonfly (Odonata: Libellulidae)
USGS news related to Dragonfly Mercury Project research.
Dragonflies Reveal Surprising Insights into Mercury Pollution
A new study has unveiled surprising findings about mercury pollution: where it comes from and how it moves through the environment varies significantly depending on the ecosystem.