Effects of waterborne mercury on terrestrial wildlife at clear lake: Evaluation and testing of a predictive model

Wolfe, M.F.; Norman, Donald M.

doi:10.1002/etc.5620170213

Cited by 53 publications

(33 citation statements)

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“…Meyer et al (1998) considered a level of 0.30 lg/g wet weight (w.w.) associated with lower common loon (Gavia immer) chick hatching and surviving, while Welch (1994) considered 0.50 lg/g w.w. as a relevant threshold in juvenile bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Wolfe and Norman (1998) reported levels of 1.2 lg/g w.w. in apparently successful heron colonies. Hg levels in feathers of herons from this study appear high compared with other published data on herons (Wolfe and Norman, 1998;Sepuvelda et al, 1999;Goutner et al, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Contamination and Biomarkers in the Great Blue Heron, an Indicator of the State of the St. Lawrence River

Champoux¹,

Rodrigue²,

Trudeau

et al. 2006

Ecotoxicology

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In 1996-1997, nine breeding colonies of the great blue heron on the St. Lawrence River and its estuary (Québec, Canada) were investigated in the framework of a biomonitoring program. Fledglings from colonies in freshwater were more contaminated with mercury, PCBs and many organic contaminants than those from estuarine colonies. The level of contamination in the St. Lawrence River is generally below the levels of toxicological effects for the great blue heron. The molar ratio of retinol: retinyl palmitate in heron eggs was correlated with total PCBs (r=0.79) and Mirex (r=0.90). In plasma, all biochemical parameters were significantly different between freshwater and marine colonies. Plasma retinol concentrations at the Dickerson and Hérons colonies were significantly lower compared with those at Grande Ile (p<0.05) and Steamboat (p<0.001). Based on retinoid and beta-carotene concentrations in eggs, low plasma retinol was not associated with possible dietary deficiency. Plasma retinol was negatively correlated with many PCB congeners, total PCBs (r=-0.78), p,p'-DDE, trans-nonachlor and alpha-HCH. Similarly, the hormone T3 was correlated with many PCB congeners, total PCBs (r=-0.69) and the same organochlorine chemicals. Plasma LDH concentrations were different among freshwater colonies, Grande Ile and Hérons colonies having LDH values significantly greater than those of Steamboat (respectively, p<0.05 and p<0.01). Globally, the health status of the St. Lawrence great blue heron population was judged to be acceptable, however, several biomarkers indicated positive responses to contaminants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Contamination and Biomarkers in the Great Blue Heron, an Indicator of the State of the St. Lawrence River

Champoux¹,

Rodrigue²,

Trudeau

et al. 2006

Ecotoxicology

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“…However, the transfer of more limited MeHg concentrations in insect prey to insectivorous birds does not appear to be significantly different than in piscivorous birds. Both Gerrard and St. Louis (2001) and Wolfe and Norman (1998) found high MeHg:Hg ratios in the tissues of various insectivorous passerines. Our analysis indicates that even insectivorous birds dependent on terrestrial foodwebs are susceptible to MeHg availability and bioaccumulation.…”

Section: Total Hg and Mehg Relationships In Bloodmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Compared to other sampling sites in northeastern North America, Bicknell's thrush blood Hg concentrations were 34% lower at Mansfield than elsewhere (unweighted, arithmetic mean = 0.14 ± 0.08 SD, n = 18 sampling locations). Because there are few studies documenting insectivorous passerine Hg exposure (Bishop et al, 1995;Wolfe and Norman, 1998;Gerrard and St. Louis, 2001;Reynolds et al, 2001;Adair et al, 2003) and because none of the existing studies sampled blood for Hg analysis, few comparisons are available. analyzed the blood Hg concentrations of saltmarsh and Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrows (Ammodramus caudacutus and A. nelsoni, respectively) at five Maine estuaries and found relatively high Hg levels.…”

Section: Comparisons Of Hg Exposure During the Breeding Seasonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Little is known about MeHg availability or toxicity in passerine birds, especially those species not associated with aquatic systems (Thompson, 1996;Wolfe and Norman, 1998;Wiener et al, 2003). Further, exceedingly few data exist on MeHg burdens in migratory passerine birds, which are potentially exposed to varying environmental levels of Hg during their breeding, migration, and wintering periods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Mercury Concentrations in Bicknell?s Thrush and Other Insectivorous Passerines in Montane Forests of Northeastern North America

Rimmer¹,

McFarland²,

et al. 2005

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Anthropogenic input of mercury (Hg) into the environment has elevated risk to fish and wildlife, particularly in northeastern North America. Investigations into the transfer and fate of Hg have focused on inhabitants of freshwater aquatic ecosystems, as these are the habitats at greatest risk for methylmercury (MeHg) biomagnification. Deviating from such an approach, we documented MeHg availability in a terrestrial montane ecosystem using a suite of insectivorous passerines. Intensive and extensive sampling of Bicknell's thrush (Catharus bicknelli) indicated significant heterogeneity in MeHg availability across 21 mountaintops in northeastern North America. Southern parts of the breeding range tended to be at greater risk than northern parts. Mean blood Hg concentrations for Bicknell's thrush at 21 distinct breeding sites ranged from 0.08 to 0.38 ug/g (ww) and at seven Greater Antillean wintering sites ranged from 0.03 to 0.42 ug/g (ww). Overall concentrations were significantly greater in wintering than in breeding areas. Mercury exposure profiles for four passerine species on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont indicated greatest MeHg uptake in Bicknell's thrush and yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata) and lowest in blackpoll warbler (Dendroica striata) and white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). The MeHg and total Hg ratio in blood in these four species was nearly 1:1. There was no correlation between blood and feather Hg concentrations in breeding Bicknell's thrush, in part because of apparent retention of winter Hg body burdens, within-season variation of MeHg availability, and confounding factors such as influences from age. Adult thrushes had significantly higher concentrations of feather Hg than did young-of-the-year. Although individual patterns of inter-year feather Hg concentrations were disordered, some individuals exhibited bioaccumulation of MeHg. Female blood Hg concentrations were significantly lower than males', in part because females have additional depurating mechanisms through eggs. Older male Bicknell's thrushes that breed in New England are therefore likely at greatest risk. Mechanisms for Hg methylation in montane areas without standing water are not yet fully understood. However, recent studies indicate that MeHg is present in forest tree leaves and leaf detritus; saturated soils and other moist microhabitats may also contribute to MeHg availability. Our finding of a correlation between regional litterfall Hg flux patterns and Bicknell's thrush blood Hg concentrations demonstrates on-site availability of MeHg. Further investigations into MeHg availability in montane environments are recommended to assess risk to insectivorous passerines, particularly the Bicknell's thrush.

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“…In birds and mammals, inert, keratinized structures such as feathers, hair, and claws can be sampled nonlethally from individuals and these tissues store large amounts of Hg that are higher than corresponding soft tissues such as muscle or brain (Wolfe and Norman, 1998). Because keratinous tissues are shed periodically during molting (feathers) or continuously through abrasion (claws), they represent potentially important mechanisms for loss of CH 3 Hg + by the animal (Furness et al, 1986;Braune and Gaskin, 1987).…”

Section: Mercury Within Organismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Mercury through Food Webs

Kidd

Clayden

Jardine

2011

Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology of Mercury

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Effects of waterborne mercury on terrestrial wildlife at clear lake: Evaluation and testing of a predictive model

Cited by 53 publications

References 50 publications

Contamination and Biomarkers in the Great Blue Heron, an Indicator of the State of the St. Lawrence River

Contamination and Biomarkers in the Great Blue Heron, an Indicator of the State of the St. Lawrence River

Mercury Concentrations in Bicknell?s Thrush and Other Insectivorous Passerines in Montane Forests of Northeastern North America

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Mercury through Food Webs

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