Abstract: Mercury concentration in fish tends to elevate in new hydroelectric reservoirs because of increased rates of converting mercury in the environment into methyl mercury, which is known as “reservoir effect” of mercury. The “reservoir effect” is worldwide, though its duration and strength would be reservoir specific. We reviewed the progress of research on mercury concentrations in fish after impoundment of reservoir, as well as the reservoir features and environmental factors related to “reservoir effect”. For a better understanding of the underlying mechanism, we gave a detailed discussion about the sources of mercury in reservoir and bioavailablity, and the traits of bioaccumulation and biomagnification. We also analyzed the mercury methylation reactions in reservoirs in China, which are distinguished from those in Europe and America. This paper provides a theoretical basis for prevention and control of mercury contamination inreservoir fish.

Key words: InVEST model, Taihang Mountains, water consumption, vertical gradient, water yield