Temporal trends in a biomagnifying contaminant: Application of amino acid compound–specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis to the interpretation of bird mercury levels

Hebert, Craig E.; Popp, Brian N.

doi:10.1002/etc.4092

Cited by 35 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Standard bulk stable nitrogen isotope analysis was also conducted on the egg pools. Details regarding CSIA and bulk isotope analyses are identical to those described in Hebert and Popp (). Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between δ 15 N GluPhe and δ 15 N BulkPhe values.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial trends in a biomagnifying contaminant: Application of amino acid compound–specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis to the interpretation of bird mercury levels

Dolgova

Popp

Courtoreille³

et al. 2018

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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Levels of biomagnifying contaminants are greatest in high-trophic level biota (e.g., predatory birds such as gulls). Gull eggs have been used to assess contaminant spatial patterns and sources, but such assessments must consider how organism trophic position may influence spatial inferences. Stable nitrogen isotopes (δ N) in bulk tissue are routinely used in this context. However, bulk δ N values are only useful if spatial differences in baseline δ N values are considered. Amino acid compound-specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis can generate estimates of baseline δ N values and trophic position from the same sample. In the present study, eggs (n = 428) of California (Larus californicus), herring (Larus argentatus smithsonianus), and ring-billed (Larus delawarensis) gulls were used to assess spatial patterns in mercury (Hg) availability in 12 western Canadian lakes located over 14 degrees of latitude, with amino acid compound-specific stable isotope analysis adjustment of egg Hg levels for trophic position. Mean trophic position-adjusted egg Hg levels (micrograms per gram, dry wt) were greatest at sites in receiving waters of the Athabasca River (X¯ = 0.70) compared to southern (X¯ = 0.39) and northern (X¯ = 0.50) regions. Research is required to investigate factors (e.g., local Hg released as a result of human activities, processes influencing Hg methylation) which may be responsible for greater Hg availability in the lower Athabasca River basin. However, it is clear that amino acid compound-specific stable isotope analysis is a valuable tool for assessing contaminant spatial patterns. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1466-1475. © 2018 SETAC.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial trends in a biomagnifying contaminant: Application of amino acid compound–specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis to the interpretation of bird mercury levels

Dolgova

Popp

Courtoreille³

et al. 2018

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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“…This would include mercury from all sources to 176 that region including the oil sands. Details regarding egg THg analysis are identical to those reported in Hebert and Popp 184 [28]. In eggs, approximately 97% of THg is in the organic MeHg form [29] so measuring THg is 185 a cost-effective way to assess MeHg levels in eggs.…”

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confidence: 94%

The River Runs Through It: the Athabasca River Delivers Mercury to Aquatic Birds Breeding Far Downstream

Hebert

2018

Preprint

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“…Details regarding egg THg analysis are identical to those reported in Hebert and Popp [7]. Briefly, 20 mg of dried egg contents in nickel boats were delivered by autosampler to a direct Hg analyzer (DMA-80; Milestone).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stable isotopes of nitrogen ( 15 N and 14 N expressed as δ 15 N) and carbon ( 13 C and 12 C expressed as δ 13 C) were measured in the contents of individual eggs to assess bird diets across years. Details regarding stable isotope analysis are identical to those reported in Hebert and Popp [7]. Briefly, stable N and C isotope analyses were conducted using an Elementar Isotope Cube elemental analyzer, followed by trap-and-purge separation and online analysis by continuous flow with a DeltaPlus Advantage isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific) coupled with a ConFlo III.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The river runs through it: The Athabasca River delivers mercury to aquatic birds breeding far downstream

Hebert

2019

PLoS ONE

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This study examined factors contributing to temporal variability (2009–2017) in total mercury (THg) concentrations in aquatic bird eggs collected in the Peace-Athabasca Delta and Lake Athabasca in northern Alberta. Factors examined included year of egg collection, site of collection, bird species, bird diets, annual surface-mineable oil sands production, forest fires, and flow of the Athabasca River. Surface mining activities associated with Alberta’s Athabasca oil sands are situated north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, adjacent to the northward-flowing Athabasca River. Previous studies have found that oil sands industrial operations release mercury into the local (within ~50 km) environment. An information-theoretic approach revealed that the best model for explaining egg THg levels included Athabasca River flow, bird food source, and bird species. Variability in egg THg levels was partly a reflection of differences in food sources, e.g. proportions of aquatic versus terrestrial food in bird diets. Annual fluctuations in maximal flow of the Athabasca River were also important with eggs collected following years of high maximal flow exhibiting higher THg concentrations. Furthermore, eggs collected in years of high versus low flow differed in their stable Hg isotope composition with less mass-independent fraction of 199 Hg and 201 Hg in years of high flow. Riverine processes associated with suspended sediment were likely critical in regulating Hg availability to nesting birds. This study highlights the importance of the Athabasca River as a conduit for Hg transport to ecologically-sensitive downstream ecosystems such as the Peace-Athabasca Delta and Wood Buffalo National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Human activities that increase atmospheric Hg deposition to the Athabasca River watershed, or that enhance Hg releases to the river through erosion of Hg-bearing soils, will likely increase the availability of Hg to organisms inhabiting downstream areas.

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Temporal trends in a biomagnifying contaminant: Application of amino acid compound–specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis to the interpretation of bird mercury levels

Cited by 35 publications

References 49 publications

Spatial trends in a biomagnifying contaminant: Application of amino acid compound–specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis to the interpretation of bird mercury levels

Spatial trends in a biomagnifying contaminant: Application of amino acid compound–specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis to the interpretation of bird mercury levels

The River Runs Through It: the Athabasca River Delivers Mercury to Aquatic Birds Breeding Far Downstream

The river runs through it: The Athabasca River delivers mercury to aquatic birds breeding far downstream

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