The Dragonfly Mercury Project engages citizen scientists in the collection of juvenile dragonflies, also known as dragonfly larvae, from parks for mercury analysis.
Mercury is a toxic pollutant that can harm human and wildlife health. Mercury often enters parks as air pollution from distant, human-caused sources, like coal-burning power plants. Dragonfly larvae are excellent indicators of mercury risk because they can live for years underwater eating insects and even small fish. Once it is deposited, mercury can build up inside the larvae and give scientists insight into the health of the waters in which they live. This study provides data for natural resource managers to protect human and wildlife health.
Volunteers for this opportunity must be willing to enter a body of water wearing chest waders and use dip nets to search for larvae. Walking on trails, scooping and lifting dip nets, as well as bending and crouching are required. Volunteers will also be required to help with sorting and identifying dragonfly larvae by family and should familiarize themselves with this sampling guide. There is also a helpful video volunteers can watch to assist with identifying larvae.
This opportunity meets at the Tom Wisner Hall parking lot at Kings Landing Park in Huntingtown at 8:30am.
Please watch this short video for more information about the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Contact person for this project is Kimberly Curren
Kimberly.Curren@calvertcountymd.gov
