Gypsum pond leakage at Talvivaara. File Photo – Lehtikuva.
The effects of the Talvivaara nickel mine heavy metals leak on fish are small, said the Food Safety Authority-Evira and the Natural Resources Centre-Luke.
The quantities of heavy metals are quite small, except for mercury. Evira and Luke performed their fifth study on the accident in May and June.
The mercury levels in game fish in inland waters are generally high due to the abundance of silt in lakes.
The mercury concentrations are highest near the site of the accident, especially in perch.
Pike found in lakes near the accident also showed higher levels of mercury than average.
The mercury levels in roach and whitefish, however, were below the maximum permitted levels.
