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Tennant JH, Cosentino BJ, Cleckner LB, Brubaker KM, Razavi NR. Methylmercury Concentrations More Strongly Associated With Trait Variation Than Food Web Position in Plethodontid Salamanders. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 39031493 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Salamanders serve as bioindicators of mercury (Hg) in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats and are an important link in the food web between low-trophic prey and higher-trophic predators. We investigated the drivers of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in three common plethodontid salamander species in New York State, USA, including comparisons among regions, habitat types (terrestrial and semiaquatic), and color morphs of Plethodon cinereus (striped and unstriped). Nonlethal tail samples were collected from one terrestrial species (P. cinereus) and two semiaquatic species (Eurycea bislineata and Desmognathus spp.) in the Adirondack Mountains (ADK) and the Finger Lakes National Forest (FLNF) regions. Samples were analyzed for MeHg and stable isotopes, including δ15N and δ13C which are proxies of trophic position and diet, respectively. Despite elevated biota Hg concentrations typically found in the ADK, salamander MeHg concentrations did not differ by region in the terrestrial species and one of the semiaquatic species. In addition, diet and trophic level did not explain MeHg exposure in salamanders. Semiaquatic salamanders exhibited higher MeHg concentrations than terrestrial salamanders in the FLNF only. Within species, only snout-vent length predicted MeHg concentrations in E. bislineata with few other variables significant as predictors of MeHg concentrations in path models. Among P. cinereus individuals in the FLNF, the striped morph had greater MeHg concentrations than the unstriped morph, and food web tracers were not different between morphs. Overall, New York State salamander Hg concentrations were elevated compared to other locations where these species are present. The present study establishes baseline Hg data in salamanders for future assessments of changes in Hg bioavailability to forests of New York State. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-13. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah H Tennant
- Department of Environmental Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Bradley J Cosentino
- Department of Biology, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York, USA
| | - Lisa B Cleckner
- Department of Environmental Studies, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York, USA
- Finger Lakes Institute, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York, USA
| | - Kristen M Brubaker
- Department of Environmental Studies, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York, USA
| | - N Roxanna Razavi
- Department of Environmental Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
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2
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Janssen SE, Kotalik CJ, Willacker JJ, Tate MT, Pritz CMF, Nelson SJ, Krabbenhoft DP, Walters DM, Eagles-Smith CA. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Food Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39012137 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Atmospheric mercury (Hg) emissions and subsequent transport and deposition are major concerns within protected lands, including national parks, where Hg can bioaccumulate to levels detrimental to human and wildlife health. Despite this risk to biological resources, there is limited understanding of the relative importance of different Hg sources and delivery pathways within the protected regions. Here, we used Hg stable isotope measurements within a single aquatic bioindicator, dragonfly larvae, to determine if these tracers can resolve spatial patterns in Hg sources, delivery mechanisms, and aquatic cycling at a national scale. Mercury isotope values in dragonfly tissues varied among habitat types (e.g., lentic, lotic, and wetland) and geographic location. Photochemical-derived isotope fractionation was habitat-dependent and influenced by factors that impact light penetration directly or indirectly, including dissolved organic matter, canopy cover, and total phosphorus. Strong patterns for Δ200Hg emerged in the western United States, highlighting the relative importance of wet deposition sources in arid regions in contrast to dry deposition delivery in forested regions. This work demonstrates the efficacy of dragonfly larvae as biosentinels for Hg isotope studies due to their ubiquity across freshwater ecosystems and ability to track variation in Hg sources and processing attributed to small-scale habitat and large-scale regional patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Janssen
- US Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, One Gifford Pinchot Drive,, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States
| | - Christopher J Kotalik
- US Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Rd, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - James J Willacker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Michael T Tate
- US Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, One Gifford Pinchot Drive,, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States
| | - Colleen M Flanagan Pritz
- National Park Service, Air Resources Division, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado 80225, United States
| | - Sarah J Nelson
- Appalachian Mountain Club, 361 Route 16, Gorham, New Hampshire 03581, United States
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- US Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, One Gifford Pinchot Drive,, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States
| | - David M Walters
- US Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Rd, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
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3
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Lemesle P, Jouanneau W, Cherel Y, Legroux N, Ward A, Bustamante P, Chastel O. Mercury exposure and trophic ecology of urban nesting black-legged kittiwakes from France. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142813. [PMID: 38986774 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Seabirds are increasingly used as bioindicators for assessing the chemical contamination of marine ecosystems, including by mercury (Hg) worldwide. However, some geographical areas are still poorly documented, as metropolitan France that is home to 28 seabird species including the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, in the part of the southern limit of the North Atlantic range of the species. Here, we investigated Hg contamination and trophic ecology of black-legged kittiwakes breeding in the harbour of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Northern France. Mean blood Hg concentration was 4.81 ± 1.20 μg g-1 dw (dry weight), 3.66 ± 0.75 μg g-1 dw and 0.43 ± 0.07 μg g-1 dw for adult males, adult females, and chicks, respectively. According to Hg toxicity benchmarks for avian blood, 30% of the sampled adults were considered to be at moderate risk to Hg toxicity. Stable isotope and food analyses showed that highest δ15N values (reflecting a higher trophic position) were related to highest blood Hg concentrations in adult birds, and that Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) were the main prey. Adult kittiwakes from Boulogne-sur-Mer showed Hg levels three times higher than those found in Arctic nesting kittiwakes, where sublethal effects have been documented. This study provides a first description of Hg contamination of black-legged kittiwakes breeding in France and calls for future ecotoxicological research to assess the vulnerability of this species in the southern part of its distribution range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prescillia Lemesle
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France; Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
| | - William Jouanneau
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Nathan Legroux
- Groupe ornithologique et naturaliste (agréé Hauts-de-France), 5 rue Jules de Vicq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Alain Ward
- Groupe ornithologique et naturaliste (agréé Hauts-de-France), 5 rue Jules de Vicq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
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4
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Lemaire J, Bustamante P, Shirley MH. Preliminary assessment of blood mercury contamination in four African crocodile species. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 190:108877. [PMID: 38981413 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in the environment is an increasingly pervasive threat to the long-term persistence of wildlife. As high trophic level consumers, crocodylians are at substantial risk from bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg). Despite that they are generally well-studied and the focal species of many conservation efforts around the world, little is known about Hg contamination levels in most crocodylians. Here we preliminarily evaluate blood Hg contamination in four African species - Central African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops leptorhynchus), African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis), West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus), and Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) - from a diversity of sites and habitats across 5 different countries representing varying degrees of environmental pollution. All of our sampled crocodiles were Hg contaminated and, worryingly, these African crocodiles generally showed the highest levels of Hg contamination of any crocodylian species examined to date. Of most concern was that Hg concentrations were not only highest in M. leptorhynchus, the most threatened amongst our study species, but also in individuals sampled in what are believed to be some of the most remote and pristine natural areas left in Africa - Gabon's national parks. Our results underscore the need to better understand the impact of longstanding petroleum, mining, forestry, and agricultural industries on the entire aquatic food chain throughout much of Africa, including on the threatened species in these habitats and the human populations that depend on them for their subsistence and livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Lemaire
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Matthew H Shirley
- Project Mecistops, Sarasota, FL, USA; Global Forensics and Justice Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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5
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Evers DC, Ackerman JT, Åkerblom S, Bally D, Basu N, Bishop K, Bodin N, Braaten HFV, Burton MEH, Bustamante P, Chen C, Chételat J, Christian L, Dietz R, Drevnick P, Eagles-Smith C, Fernandez LE, Hammerschlag N, Harmelin-Vivien M, Harte A, Krümmel EM, Brito JL, Medina G, Barrios Rodriguez CA, Stenhouse I, Sunderland E, Takeuchi A, Tear T, Vega C, Wilson S, Wu P. Global mercury concentrations in biota: their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 33:325-396. [PMID: 38683471 PMCID: PMC11213816 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-024-02747-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
An important provision of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the adopted measures and its implementation. Here, we describe for the first time currently available biotic mercury (Hg) data on a global scale to improve the understanding of global efforts to reduce the impact of Hg pollution on people and the environment. Data from the peer-reviewed literature were compiled in the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis (GBMS) database (>550,000 data points). These data provide a foundation for establishing a biomonitoring framework needed to track Hg concentrations in biota globally. We describe Hg exposure in the taxa identified by the Minamata Convention: fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. Based on the GBMS database, Hg concentrations are presented at relevant geographic scales for continents and oceanic basins. We identify some effective regional templates for monitoring methylmercury (MeHg) availability in the environment, but overall illustrate that there is a general lack of regional biomonitoring initiatives around the world, especially in Africa, Australia, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Temporal trend data for Hg in biota are generally limited. Ecologically sensitive sites (where biota have above average MeHg tissue concentrations) have been identified throughout the world. Efforts to model and quantify ecosystem sensitivity locally, regionally, and globally could help establish effective and efficient biomonitoring programs. We present a framework for a global Hg biomonitoring network that includes a three-step continental and oceanic approach to integrate existing biomonitoring efforts and prioritize filling regional data gaps linked with key Hg sources. We describe a standardized approach that builds on an evidence-based evaluation to assess the Minamata Convention's progress to reduce the impact of global Hg pollution on people and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Evers
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | | | - Dominique Bally
- African Center for Environmental Health, BP 826 Cidex 03, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Nil Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kevin Bishop
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Upsalla, Sweden
| | - Nathalie Bodin
- Research Institute for Sustainable Development Seychelles Fishing Authority, Victoria, Seychelles
| | | | - Mark E H Burton
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Celia Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Cliamte Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Linroy Christian
- Department of Analytical Services, Dunbars, Friars Hill, St John, Antigua and Barbuda
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Department of Ecoscience, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Paul Drevnick
- Teck American Incorporated, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Collin Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Luis E Fernandez
- Sabin Center for Environment and Sustainability and Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 29106, USA
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazonica (CINCIA), Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, Peru
| | - Neil Hammerschlag
- Shark Research Foundation Inc, 29 Wideview Lane, Boutiliers Point, NS, B3Z 0M9, Canada
| | - Mireille Harmelin-Vivien
- Aix-Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU/IRD, Institut Méditerranéen d'Océanologie (MIO), UM 110, Campus de Luminy, case 901, 13288, Marseille, cedex 09, France
| | - Agustin Harte
- Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Chem. des Anémones 15, 1219, Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eva M Krümmel
- Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada, Ottawa, Canada and ScienTissiME Inc, Barry's Bay, ON, Canada
| | - José Lailson Brito
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Sao Francisco Xavier, 524, Sala 4002, CEP 20550-013, Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Medina
- Director of Basel Convention Coordinating Centre, Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean, Hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Iain Stenhouse
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Elsie Sunderland
- Harvard University, Pierce Hall 127, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Akinori Takeuchi
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Health and Environmental Risk Division, 16-2 Onogawa Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Tim Tear
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Claudia Vega
- Centro de Innovaccion Cientifica Amazonica (CINCIA), Jiron Ucayali 750, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17001, Peru
| | - Simon Wilson
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Secretariat, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Pianpian Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
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Bottini CLJ, Whiley RE, Branfireun BA, MacDougall-Shackleton SA. Effects of sublethal methylmercury and food stress on songbird energetic performance: metabolic rates, molt and feather quality. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246239. [PMID: 38856174 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Organisms regularly adjust their physiology and energy balance in response to predictable seasonal environmental changes. Stressors and contaminants have the potential to disrupt these critical seasonal transitions. No studies have investigated how simultaneous exposure to the ubiquitous toxin methylmercury (MeHg) and food stress affects birds' physiological performance across seasons. We quantified several aspects of energetic performance in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia, exposed or not to unpredictable food stress and MeHg in a 2×2 experimental design, over 3 months during the breeding season, followed by 3 months post-exposure. Birds exposed to food stress had reduced basal metabolic rate and non-significant higher factorial metabolic scope during the exposure period, and had a greater increase in lean mass throughout most of the experimental period. Birds exposed to MeHg had increased molt duration, and increased mass:length ratio of some of their primary feathers. Birds exposed to the combined food stress and MeHg treatment often had responses similar to the stress-only or MeHg-only exposure groups, suggesting these treatments affected physiological performance through different mechanisms and resulted in compensatory or independent effects. Because the MeHg and stress variables were selected in candidate models with a ΔAICc lower than 2 but the 95% confidence interval of these variables overlapped zero, we found weak support for MeHg effects on all measures except basal metabolic rate, and for food stress effects on maximum metabolic rate, factorial metabolic scope and feather mass:length ratio. This suggests that MeHg and food stress effects on these measures are statistically identified but not simple and/or were too weak to be detected via linear regression. Overall, combined exposure to ecologically relevant MeHg and unpredictable food stress during the breeding season does not appear to induce extra energetic costs for songbirds in the post-exposure period. However, MeHg effects on molt duration could carry over across multiple annual cycle stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire L J Bottini
- The University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 4W4, Canada
| | - Rebecca E Whiley
- The University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 4W4, Canada
| | - Brian A Branfireun
- The University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 4W4, Canada
| | - Scott A MacDougall-Shackleton
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 4W4, Canada
- The University of Western Ontario, Department of Psychology, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C2, Canada
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7
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Pinzone M, Amouroux D, Tessier E, Acquarone M, Siebert U, Das K. Dynamics of mercury stable isotope compounds in Arctic seals: New insights from a controlled feeding trial on hooded seals Cystophora cristata. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 358:124450. [PMID: 38944182 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Accurate interpretation of mercury (Hg) isotopic data requires the consideration of several biotic factors such as age, diet, geographical range, and tissue metabolic turnover. A priori knowledge of prey-predator isotopic incorporation rates and Hg biomagnification is essential. This study aims to assess Hg stable isotopes incorporation in an Arctic species of Phocidae, the hooded seal Cystophora cristata, kept in human care for 24 months (2012-2014) and fed on a constant diet of Norwegian Spring Spawning herring Clupea harengus. We measured THg, MMHg and iHg levels, as well as Hg stable isotope composition with both mass dependent (MDF) and mass independent (MIF) fractionation (e.g. δ202Hg and Δ199,200,201,204Hg) in hooded seal kidney, liver, hair and muscle, in addition to herring muscle. We then calculated Hg MDF and MIF isotopic fractionation between hooded seals and their prey. We found a significant shift in δ202Hg between hooded seal hair (+0.80‰) and kidney (-0.78‰), and herring muscle. In hooded seals tissues δ202Hg correlated positively with MMHg percentage. These findings suggest that tissue-specific Hg speciation is the major driver of changes in Hg isotopic fractionation rates in this Arctic predator. Δ199Hg, Δ200Hg, Δ201Hg and Δ204Hg values did not vary between herring and hooded seal tissues, confirming their utility as tracers of Hg marine and atmospheric sources in top predators. To our knowledge, this represents the first attempt to assess complex Hg isotope dynamics in the internal system of Arctic Phocidae, controlling the effects of age, diet, and distribution. Our results confirm the validity of Hg stable isotopes as tracers of environmental Hg sources even in top predators, but emphasize the importance of animal age and tissue selection for inter-study and inter-species comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Pinzone
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of ReSearch (FOCUS), Laboratory of Oceanology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | - David Amouroux
- Université de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour L'Environnement et Les Matériaux, Pau, France
| | - Emmanuel Tessier
- Université de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour L'Environnement et Les Matériaux, Pau, France
| | - Mario Acquarone
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, The Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Büsum, Germany
| | - Krishna Das
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of ReSearch (FOCUS), Laboratory of Oceanology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
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8
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Udodenko YG, Solovyeva MA, Glazov DM, Klimov FV, Komov VT, Kamshilova TB, Rozhnov VV. Total mercury in fur, whiskers and whole blood of Caspian seals (Pusa capsica) from north-east of Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116605. [PMID: 38889665 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Total Mercury (THg) content was determined in the fur of 64 Caspian seals, in the whiskers of 59 individuals and whole blood of 29 individuals. The THg content in Caspian seal fur varied from 258 to 8511 μg/kg, in whiskers from 954 to 12,957 μg/kg, and in whole blood from 88 to 350 μg/l. There were no statistically significant differences in mercury concentration in biomaterial between males and females (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.05). The 1-2-year-old seals contained less mercury compared to older seals. The THg content in Caspian seal samples was comparable to seals from different regions of North Eurasia. Four individuals had mercury concentrations in their fur above the threshold values that can lead to nervous system disorders (>5400 μg/kg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu G Udodenko
- I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters RAS, Borok, Russia; Cherepovets State University, Cherepovets, Russia.
| | - M A Solovyeva
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - D M Glazov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - F V Klimov
- "Kazakhstan Agency of Applied Ecology" LLP, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - V T Komov
- I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters RAS, Borok, Russia; Cherepovets State University, Cherepovets, Russia
| | - T B Kamshilova
- I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters RAS, Borok, Russia
| | - V V Rozhnov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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9
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Ackerman JT, Peterson SH, Herzog MP, Yee JL. Methylmercury Effects on Birds: A Review, Meta-Analysis, and Development of Toxicity Reference Values for Injury Assessment Based on Tissue Residues and Diet. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1195-1241. [PMID: 38682592 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Birds are used as bioindicators of environmental mercury (Hg) contamination, and toxicity reference values are needed for injury assessments. We conducted a comprehensive review, summarized data from 168 studies, performed a series of Bayesian hierarchical meta-analyses, and developed new toxicity reference values for the effects of methylmercury (MeHg) on birds using a benchmark dose analysis framework. Lethal and sublethal effects of MeHg on birds were categorized into nine biologically relevant endpoint categories and three age classes. Effective Hg concentrations where there was a 10% reduction (EC10) in the production of juvenile offspring (0.55 µg/g wet wt adult blood-equivalent Hg concentrations, 80% credible interval: [0.33, 0.85]), histology endpoints (0.49 [0.15, 0.96] and 0.61 [0.09, 2.48]), and biochemical markers (0.77 [<0.25, 2.12] and 0.57 [0.35, 0.92]) were substantially lower than those for survival (2.97 [2.10, 4.73] and 5.24 [3.30, 9.55]) and behavior (6.23 [1.84, >13.42] and 3.11 [2.10, 4.64]) of juveniles and adults, respectively. Within the egg age class, survival was the most sensitive endpoint (EC10 = 2.02 µg/g wet wt adult blood-equivalent Hg concentrations [1.39, 2.94] or 1.17 µg/g fresh wet wt egg-equivalent Hg concentrations [0.80, 1.70]). Body morphology was not particularly sensitive to Hg. We developed toxicity reference values using a combined survival and reproduction endpoints category for juveniles, because juveniles were more sensitive to Hg toxicity than eggs or adults. Adult blood-equivalent Hg concentrations (µg/g wet wt) and egg-equivalent Hg concentrations (µg/g fresh wet wt) caused low injury to birds (EC1) at 0.09 [0.04, 0.17] and 0.04 [0.01, 0.08], moderate injury (EC5) at 0.6 [0.37, 0.84] and 0.3 [0.17, 0.44], high injury (EC10) at 1.3 [0.94, 1.89] and 0.7 [0.49, 1.02], and severe injury (EC20) at 3.2 [2.24, 4.78] and 1.8 [1.28, 2.79], respectively. Maternal dietary Hg (µg/g dry wt) caused low injury to juveniles at 0.16 [0.05, 0.38], moderate injury at 0.6 [0.29, 1.03], high injury at 1.1 [0.63, 1.87], and severe injury at 2.4 [1.42, 4.13]. We found few substantial differences in Hg toxicity among avian taxonomic orders, including for controlled laboratory studies that injected Hg into eggs. Our results can be used to quantify injury to birds caused by Hg pollution. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1195-1241. Published 2024. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua T Ackerman
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, California, USA
| | - Sarah H Peterson
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, California, USA
| | - Mark P Herzog
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, California, USA
| | - Julie L Yee
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Santa Cruz Field Station, Santa Cruz, California, USA
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Mills WF, Bustamante P, Ramírez F, Forero MG, Phillips RA. Mercury Concentrations in Feathers of Albatrosses and Large Petrels at South Georgia: Contemporary Patterns and Comparisons with Past Decades. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 86:363-374. [PMID: 38762667 PMCID: PMC11142957 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01067-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is an environmental contaminant that can negatively impact the health of humans and wildlife. Albatrosses and large petrels show some of the highest levels of Hg contamination among birds, with potential repercussions for reproduction and survival. Here, body feather total Hg (THg) concentrations were determined in breeding adults of five species of albatrosses and large petrels in the foraging guild at South Georgia during the mid-2010s. We tested the effects of species, sex and trophic ecology (inferred from stable isotopes) on THg concentrations and compared our results with published values from past decades. Feather THg concentrations differed significantly among species (range: 1.9-49.6 µg g-1 dw), and were highest in wandering albatrosses Diomedea exulans, intermediate in black-browed albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris and northern giant petrels Macronectes halli, and lowest in southern giant petrels M. giganteus and white-chinned petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis. Females were more contaminated than males in all species, potentially due to differences in distributions and diet composition. Across species, THg concentrations were not correlated with feather δ13C or δ15N values, implying that species effects (e.g., breeding and moulting frequencies) may be more important than trophic effects in explaining feather THg concentrations in this foraging guild. Within species, the only significant correlation was between THg and δ13C in wandering albatrosses, which could reflect higher Hg exposure in subtropical waters. Comparisons with THg concentrations from past studies, which reflect contamination from 10 to > 60 years ago, revealed considerable annual variation and some evidence for increases over time for wandering and black-browed albatrosses since before 1950 and from the late 1980s, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Mills
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Francisco Ramírez
- Departament de Recursos Marins Renovables, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuela G Forero
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Avda. Américo Vespucio, 26, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Richard A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
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11
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Lemaire J, Mangione R, Caut S, Bustamante P. Mercury biomagnification in the food web of Agami Pond, Kaw-Roura Nature Reserve, French Guiana. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28859. [PMID: 38596056 PMCID: PMC11002669 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems are among the most important ecosystems worldwide, however, over the last centuries, anthropogenic pressures have had catastrophic effects on them. Mercury (Hg) is one of the main environmental contaminants which globally affect ecosystems and particularly freshwater wildlife. While Hg originates from natural sources, anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, biomass combustion, and gold mining increase its concentrations. Gold mining activities are the main drivers of Hg emission in tropical ecosystems and are responsible for up to 38% of global emissions. Once in its methylated form (MeHg), mercury biomagnifies through the trophic chain and accumulates in top predators. Due to the toxicity of MeHg, long-lived predators are even more subjected to chronic effects as they accumulate Hg over time. In the present study we quantified Hg contamination in two top predators, the Black caiman Melanosuchus niger and the Agami heron Agamia agami, and in their prey in the Kaw-Roura Nature Reserve in French Guiana and evaluated the biomagnification rate in the trophic chain. Our results show that despite a TMF in the range of others in the region (4.38 in our study), top predators of the ecosystem present elevated concentrations of Hg. We have found elevated Hg concentrations in the blood of adult Black caiman (2.10 ± 0.652 μg g-1 dw) and chicks of Agami heron (1.089 ± 0.406 μg g-1 dw). These findings highlight the need to better evaluate the potential impact of Hg in freshwater top predators, especially regarding reprotoxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Lemaire
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rosanna Mangione
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stéphane Caut
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Departamento de Etologia y Conservacion de la Biodiversidad, Estacion Biologica de Doñana, C/ Americo Vespucio, s/n (Isla de la Cartuja), E-41092, Sevilla, Spain
- ANIMAVEG Conservation, 58 avenue du Président Salvador Allende, F-94800, Villejuif, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
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12
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Jung S, Besnard L, Li ML, R Reinfelder J, Kim E, Kwon SY, Kim JH. Interspecific Variations in the Internal Mercury Isotope Dynamics of Antarctic Penguins: Implications for Biomonitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6349-6358. [PMID: 38531013 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) biomonitoring requires a precise understanding of the internal processes contributing to disparities between the Hg sources in the environment and the Hg measured in the biota. In this study, we investigated the use of Hg stable isotopes to trace Hg accumulation in Adélie and emperor penguin chicks from four breeding colonies in Antarctica. Interspecific variation of Δ199Hg in penguin chicks reflects the distinct foraging habitats and Hg exposures in adults. Chicks at breeding sites where adult penguins predominantly consumed mesopelagic prey showed relatively lower Δ199Hg values than chicks that were primarily fed epipelagic krill. Substantial δ202Hg variations in chick tissues were observed in both species (Adélie: -0.11 to 1.13‰, emperor: -0.27 to 1.15‰), whereas only emperor penguins exhibited the lowest δ202Hg in the liver and the highest in the feathers. Our results indicate that tissue-specific δ202Hg variations and their positive correlations with % MeHg resulted from MeHg demethylation in the liver and kidneys of emperor penguin chicks, whereas Adélie penguin chicks showed different internal responses depending on their exposure to dietary MeHg. This study highlights the importance of considering intra- and interspecific variations in adult foraging ecology and MeHg demethylation when selecting penguin chicks for Hg biomonitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saebom Jung
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Lucien Besnard
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Mi-Ling Li
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - John R Reinfelder
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Eunhee Kim
- Citizens' Institute for Environmental Studies (CIES), Seoul 03039, South Korea
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, 85 Songdogwahak-ro, Incheon 21983, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Hoon Kim
- Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), 26 Songdomirae-ro, Incheon 21990, South Korea
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13
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Sabadková T, Janiga M, Korňan J, Pitoňáková T. Mercury in the feathers of Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) from Western Carpathian, Slovakia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:26527-26535. [PMID: 38446293 PMCID: PMC11052870 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32673-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
In this study, mercury (Hg) concentrations were detected in feathers of golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), a bird that typically inhabits alpine and forest areas. The mercury rates in feathers were compared in two groups of eagles: first, estimated home range (breeding, hunting, etc.) was located only in forest and lowland meadow habitats; second, the home range also included alpine habitats-rocks and meadows. Consequently, mercury concentration based on the feather typology were observed and the mercury levels in feathers were also compared among different Slovak Western Carpathian districts. It was found that there was no significant difference between groups classified by elevation level, which we attribute to the fact that eagle hunting territories are broad, so that alpine-dwelling and forest-dwelling eagles do not only reflect the pollution of the environments they typically inhabit. Non-significant differences were found also within different feather types, which means that the type of feather is not crucial for tracking mercury in eagle feathers. As the measurement of feather appears to be a simple and non-invasive method, the detection of non-significant differences in diverse types of golden eagle feathers provides useful knowledge for the future environment monitoring. The average mercury concentration measured in eagle samples was lower than the mercury concentration causing health complications among birds of prey. Our assumption that due to past mining activity in the Spiš region, the highest concentration in this region would be observed was confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terézia Sabadková
- Institute of High Mountain Biology, University of Žilina, Tatranská Javorina 7, 059 56, Tatranská Javorina, Slovakia
| | - Marián Janiga
- Institute of High Mountain Biology, University of Žilina, Tatranská Javorina 7, 059 56, Tatranská Javorina, Slovakia
| | - Ján Korňan
- State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tatiana Pitoňáková
- Institute of High Mountain Biology, University of Žilina, Tatranská Javorina 7, 059 56, Tatranská Javorina, Slovakia.
- University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 04181, Košice, Slovakia.
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14
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Simonis MC, Whitmore K, Dyer KE, Allira M, Demory B, Chumchal MM, Becker DJ. A paired analysis of mercury among non-invasive tissues to inform bat conservation monitoring. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.31.587502. [PMID: 38617222 PMCID: PMC11014497 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.31.587502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Contaminant exposure can harm wildlife. However, measuring contaminant exposure in wildlife can be challenging due to accessibility of species and/or sampling tissue matrices needed to answer research questions regarding exposure. For example, in bats and other taxa that roost, it may be best to collect pooled feces from colonies for minimal disturbance to species of conservation concern, but fecal contaminant concentrations do not provide contaminant bioaccumulation estimates. Thus, there is a need for quantifying relationships between sample matrices for measuring contaminant exposure to answer research questions pertaining to wildlife health and addressing conservation needs. Our goal was to determine relationships between fecal and fur total mercury (THg). To do so, we collected paired feces and fur from Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) in summer 2023 in western Oklahoma at a maternity roost with no known Hg point source. We analyzed THg in each sample matrix for each individual (n = 48). We found no relationship between individual fecal and fur THg. However, when averaged, fur THg was 6.11 times greater than fecal THg. This factor can be used as a screening-level risk assessment of under-roost feces, which could then be followed by direct assessments of fur THg concentrations and health impacts. We encourage the use of this conversion factor across other insectivorous bat species and sites for estimating initial risks of contaminant exposure with minimal disturbance to species of conservation concern, when timely research for conservation actions are needed, and when a contaminant point source is not yet known.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristin E Dyer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, USA
| | - Meagan Allira
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, USA
| | - Bret Demory
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, USA
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15
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Rohonczy J, Chételat J, Robinson SA, Arragutainaq L, Heath JP, McClelland C, Mickpegak R, Forbes MR. Contrasting trophic transfer patterns of cadmium and mercury in the Arctic marine food web of east Hudson Bay, Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:20586-20600. [PMID: 38374506 PMCID: PMC10927903 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32268-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
We investigated trophic transfer of cadmium (Cd) through an Arctic marine food web in Hudson Bay and compared it with mercury (Hg), a metal known to strongly biomagnify. We evaluated blue mussel, sea urchin, common eider, sculpin, Arctic cod, and ringed seal for the influence of dietary and biological variables on variation in Cd and Hg concentrations. Age and size influenced metal concentrations among individuals within a vertebrate species. Consumer carbon and sulfur isotope values were correlated with their Cd and Hg concentrations, indicating habitat-specific feeding influenced metal bioaccumulation. Trophic transfer patterns for Cd depended on the vertebrate tissue, with food web biodilution observed for the muscle but not the liver. Liver Cd concentrations were higher in ringed seal and some common eider relative to prey. In contrast, we observed mercury biomagnification for both tissues. Tissue- and species-specific physiology can explain discrepancies of Cd trophic transfer in this Arctic marine food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Rohonczy
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada.
| | - Stacey A Robinson
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | | | - Joel P Heath
- Arctic Eider Society, Sanikiluaq, NU, X0A 0W0, Canada
| | - Christine McClelland
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | | | - Mark R Forbes
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
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16
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Kitowski I, Łopucki R, Wiącek D, Pitucha G, Sujak A, Jakubas D. Concentration of metals and metalloids in livers of birds of various foraging guilds collected during the autumn migration period in Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:21913-21934. [PMID: 38400961 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32502-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
During migration, birds explore various habitats at stopover sites that differ in food resources and contamination levels. In this study, hepatic concentrations of 21 elements (metals and metalloids) in 11 species of birds, representing various foraging habitats (such as aquatic, aquatic/terrestrial, and terrestrial) and migration modes (migratory and sedentary) representing various foraging guilds (omnivores, piscivores, and molluscivores), were analyzed. The samples (N = 84) were collected during the autumn migration period in Poland. The concentrations of elements determined in this study exhibited high inter-species variability, reflecting the diversity in contamination levels depending on food resources used by specific bird groups. Many of the investigated individuals from different species showed exceeded levels of subclinical toxicity and moderate clinical poisoning due to Cd and Hg. Higher concentrations of As, Hg, and Ba and lower V concentrations were found in migratory birds as compared to sedentary birds. Species foraging in terrestrial habitat had different concentrations of some elements compared to aquatic and aquatic/terrestrial species. Some specific inter-species differences in hepatic elemental concentrations were found. Differences in elemental concentrations among various groups can primarily be attributed to their foraging guilds, with certain elements, particularly As, V, and Hg, playing a significant role in the dissimilarity of elemental concentrations between foraging habitat groups and migratory mode groups. The data collected confirmed the limited ability of As to enter ecosystem pathways. The results of this study contribute to understanding the year-round exposure of migratory birds to environmental contamination, which can have carry-over effects on their performance in wintering and breeding grounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacy Kitowski
- University College of Applied Sciences in Chełm, Pocztowa 54, 22-100, Chełm, Poland
| | - Rafał Łopucki
- Department of Biomedicine and Environmental Research, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708, Lublin, Poland
| | - Dariusz Wiącek
- Bohdan Dobrzański Institute of Agrophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290, Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Pitucha
- Biodiversity Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, University of Rzeszów, Ćwiklińskiej 1A, 35-601, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Sujak
- Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
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17
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Peterson SH, Peterson MG, Ackerman JT, Debier C, Goetsch C, Holser RR, Hückstädt LA, Johnson JC, Keates TR, McDonald BI, McHuron EA, Costa DP. Foraging behavior and age affect maternal transfer of mercury to northern elephant seal pups. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4693. [PMID: 38409311 PMCID: PMC10897339 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54527-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Deep ocean foraging northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) consume fish and squid in remote depths of the North Pacific Ocean. Contaminants bioaccumulated from prey are subsequently transferred by adult females to pups during gestation and lactation, linking pups to mercury contamination in mesopelagic food webs (200-1000 m depths). Maternal transfer of mercury to developing seal pups was related to maternal mercury contamination and was strongly correlated with maternal foraging behavior (biotelemetry and isotopes). Mercury concentrations in lanugo (hair grown in utero) were among the highest observed worldwide for young pinnipeds (geometric mean 23.01 μg/g dw, range 8.03-63.09 μg/g dw; n = 373); thus, some pups may be at an elevated risk of sub-lethal adverse health effects. Fetal mercury exposure was affected by maternal foraging geographic location and depth; mercury concentrations were highest in pups of the deepest diving, pelagic females. Moreover, pup lanugo mercury concentrations were strongly repeatable among successive pups of individual females, demonstrating relative consistency in pup mercury exposure based on maternal foraging strategies. Northern elephant seals are biosentinels of a remote deep-sea ecosystem. Our results suggest that mercury within North Pacific mesopelagic food webs may also pose an elevated risk to other mesopelagic-foraging predators and their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Peterson
- Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, U.S. Geological Survey, 800 Business Park Drive Suite D, Dixon, CA, USA.
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Michael G Peterson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, U.S. Geological Survey, 800 Business Park Drive Suite D, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Cathy Debier
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Chandra Goetsch
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- CSS, Inc, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Rachel R Holser
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Luis A Hückstädt
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Jennifer C Johnson
- Moss Landing Marine Labs, San Jose State University, Moss Landing, CA, USA
| | - Theresa R Keates
- Department of Ocean Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth A McHuron
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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18
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Nelson SJ, Willacker J, Eagles-Smith C, Flanagan Pritz C, Chen CY, Klemmer A, Krabbenhoft DP. Habitat and dissolved organic carbon modulate variation in the biogeochemical drivers of mercury bioaccumulation in dragonfly larvae at the national scale. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169396. [PMID: 38114036 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
We paired mercury (Hg) concentrations in dragonfly larvae with water chemistry in 29 U.S. national parks to highlight how ecological and biogeochemical context (habitat, dissolved organic carbon [DOC]) influence drivers of Hg bioaccumulation. Although prior studies have defined influences of biogeochemical variables on Hg production and bioaccumulation, it has been challenging to determine their influence across diverse habitats, regions, or biogeochemical conditions within a single study. We compared global (i.e., all sites), habitat-specific, and DOC-class models to illuminate how these controls on biotic Hg vary. Although the suite of important biogeochemical factors across all sites (e.g., aqueous Hg, DOC, sulfate [SO42-], and pH) was consistent with general findings in the literature, contrasting the restricted models revealed more nuanced controls on biosentinel Hg. Comparing habitats, aqueous (filtered) total mercury (THg) and SO42- were important in lentic systems whereas aqueous (filtered) methylmercury (MeHg), DOC, pH, and SO42- were important in lotic and wetland systems. The ability to identify important variables varied among habitats, with less certainty in lentic (model weight (W) = 0.05) than lotic (W = 0.11) or wetland habitats (W = 0.23), suggesting that biogeochemical drivers of bioaccumulation are more variable, or obscured by other aspects of Hg cycling, in these habitats. Results revealed a contrast in the importance of aqueous MeHg versus aqueous THg between DOC-classes: in low-DOC sites (<8.5 mg/L), availability of upstream inputs of MeHg appeared more important for bioaccumulation; in high-DOC sites (>8.5 mg/L) THg was more important, suggesting a link to in-situ controls on bioavailability of Hg for MeHg production. Mercury bioaccumulation (indicated by bioaccumulation factor) was more efficient in low DOC-class sites, likely due to reduced partitioning of aqueous MeHg to DOC. Together, findings highlight substantial variation in the drivers of Hg bioaccumulation and suggest consideration of these factors in natural resource management and decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Nelson
- Appalachian Mountain Club, Gorham, NH 03581, USA; University of Maine, School of Forest Resources, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
| | - James Willacker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Collin Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Colleen Flanagan Pritz
- National Park Service, Air Resources Division, Natural Resource, Stewardship and Science Directorate, Lakewood, CO 80228, USA
| | | | - Amanda Klemmer
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, WI 53726, USA
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19
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Zábojníková L. Seasonal and age-dependent differences in mercury concentrations in Apodemus sp. in the north-western region of Slovakia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:10521-10532. [PMID: 38200190 PMCID: PMC10850257 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31802-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Pollution of ecosystems by heavy metals such as mercury is currently a great concern. Mercury (Hg) can be released into the environment anthropogenically, but it is also naturally present in small quantities in all environmental compartments. Many different factors contribute to different rates of Hg deposition in animal bodies. The aim of this work is to describe how Hg concentrations in the bodies of small rodents change throughout the season at a site where massive anthropogenic pollution is not expected. Mice of the genus Apodemus were sampled during the whole year. Samples of blood, hair, liver, kidney, and brain were analyzed. Total Hg concentrations were measured by DMA-80. The mean Hg concentrations in examined organs were in the order hairs > kidney > liver > blood > brain, and their values decreased from 0.0500 to 0.0046 mg kg-1 dry weight. Males and females did not differ in contamination levels, but age-dependent differences in Hg concentrations were found. It was also identified how Hg concentrations in different organs correlate with each other. Different levels of seasonal variability were detected in Hg concentrations in blood, hair, and kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Zábojníková
- Institute of High Mountain Biology, University of Žilina, Tatranská Javorina 7, 059 56, Tatranská Javorina, Slovakia.
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20
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Xing L, Zhang T, Han X, Xie M, Chao L, Chen J, Yu X, Zhou J, Yu G, Sun J. Variability in methylmercury exposure across migratory terrestrial bird species: Influencing factors, biomagnification and potential risks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167775. [PMID: 37839483 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite China's considerable mercury (Hg) emissions, monitoring of methylmercury (MeHg) levels in its terrestrial environments remains limited. This study examined the occurrence and accumulation of MeHg in body feathers of 12 migratory terrestrial bird species originating from Siberia and northeastern China. Considerable variations in foraging habits and MeHg levels were observed among these species. Accipiters, including Eurasian and Japanese sparrowhawks (A. gularis and A. nisus) and northern goshawk (A. gentilis), along with insectivorous songbirds including grey-backed thrush (T. hortulorum) and orange-flanked bluetail (T. cyanurus), showed notable levels of MeHg (0.62-1.20 mg/kg). Up to 25 % of the individuals within these species were classified as low-risk based on feather Hg toxicity thresholds, while the remaining species fell into the no-risk category. Despite showing enriched δ15N, MeHg concentrations in short-eared and long-eared owls (A. flammeus and A. otus) were lower than in sparrowhawks. The herbivorous oriental turtle dove (S. orientalis) exhibited significantly lower MeHg levels compared to all other species. There was a significant positive correlation between MeHg concentrations and δ15N across species, highlighting the substantial biomagnification potential of MeHg within the terrestrial food web. Additionally, we found significantly higher MeHg levels in adults than juveniles in both sparrowhawk species. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of utilizing migratory bird feathers for monitoring terrestrial Hg contamination, and underscore the importance of further assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Xing
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Xuetao Han
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China
| | - Maowen Xie
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China
| | - Le Chao
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Jingrui Chen
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoming Yu
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China
| | - Jiahong Zhou
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China
| | - Guoxiang Yu
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China.
| | - Jiachen Sun
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China.
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21
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Mokarat M, Lomthaisong K, Robson MG, Keithmaleesatti S. Effects of blood mercury accumulation on DNA methylation levels in the Khorat snail-eating turtle (Malayemys khoratensis). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115770. [PMID: 38043412 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) has adverse effects on humans and wildlife. Hg exposure can cause significant alterations in DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that causes various illnesses. Hg accumulation in the blood of the Khorat snail-eating turtle (Malayemys khoratensis) from northeastern Thailand was previously reported. Thus, this study aimed to assess total mercury (THg) levels in M. khoratensis blood and to examine the impact of these concentrations on DNA methylation (5-methylcytosine, 5-mC) levels. We divided turtles based on morphological characteristics into two groups, normal and deformed, and then the levels of each variable in both groups were assessed. The deformed group presented higher mean THg concentration and DNA methylation levels compared to the normal group; however, the differences were not significant. Additionally, we found no correlation between DNA methylation levels and THg concentrations in both groups. This study is the first attempt to investigate the relationship between mercury accumulation and DNA methylation in the blood of deformed freshwater turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monthakarn Mokarat
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Khemika Lomthaisong
- Forensic Science Program, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Mark Gregory Robson
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Sarun Keithmaleesatti
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
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22
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Ibañez AE, Mills WF, Bustamante P, Morales LM, Torres DS, D' Astek B, Mariano-Jelicich R, Phillips RA, Montalti D. Deleterious effects of mercury contamination on immunocompetence, liver function and egg volume in an antarctic seabird. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 346:140630. [PMID: 37939926 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a globally important pollutant that can negatively impact metabolic, endocrine and immune systems of marine biota. Seabirds are long-lived marine top predators and hence are at risk of bioaccumulating high Hg concentrations from their prey. Here, we measured blood total mercury (THg) concentrations and relationships with physiology and breeding parameters of breeding brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) (n = 49 individuals) at Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Mean blood THg concentrations were similar in males and females despite the differences in body size and breeding roles, but differed between study years. Immune markers (hematocrit, Immunoglobulin Y [IgY] and albumin) were negatively correlated with blood THg concentrations, which likely indicates a disruptive effect of Hg on immunity. Alanine aminotransferase (GPT) activity, reflecting liver dysfunction, was positively associated with blood THg. Additionally, triacylglycerol and albumin differed between our study years, but did not correlate with Hg levels, and so were more likely to reflect changes in diet and nutritional status rather than Hg contamination. Egg volume correlated negatively with blood THg concentrations. Our study provides new insights into the sublethal effects of Hg contamination on immunity, liver function and breeding parameters in seabirds. In this Antarctic species, exposure to sublethal Hg concentrations reflects the short-term risks which could make individuals more susceptible to environmental stressors, including ongoing climatic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés E Ibañez
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - William F Mills
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Lara M Morales
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego S Torres
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Beatriz D' Astek
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rocío Mariano-Jelicich
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), UNMdP-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Richard A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Diego Montalti
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Antártico Argentino, San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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23
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Páez-Osuna F, Bergés-Tiznado ME, Valencia-Castañeda G, Fregoso-López MG, León-Cañedo JA, Fierro-Sañudo JF, Ramírez-Rochín J. Mercury and selenium in three fish species from a dam 20 months after a mine-tailing spill in the SE Gulf of California ecoregion, Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:5399-5414. [PMID: 38117398 PMCID: PMC10799130 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
During January 2013, a mining spill occurred in the Santa Maria mining region, releasing around 300,000 m3 of tailings on Los Remedios river, which was transported through the San Lorenzo river and finally to El Comedero (EC) dam. Twenty months later, we examined the concentrations of Hg and Se in the muscle, liver, gills, and guts of three fish species (Cyprinus carpio, Oreochromis aureus, Micropterus salmoides) captured in the EC dam to assess the performance of the cleaning operations. A high Se concentration in the liver of all species (carp, 1.2 ± 0.4; tilapia, 3.9 ± 2.1; bass, 3.5 ± 1.1 µg g-1 ww) was consistently observed, while this behavior was only found in the blue tilapia for Hg (0.15 ± 0.11 µg g-1 ww). Tilapia (benthic-detritivorous) exhibited the highest Se concentrations compared to the carp (omnivore) and the largemouth bass (piscivore). In contrast, the largemouth bass had the highest Hg levels in the muscle compared with the other fishes. Such differences could be related to the different metabolism and feeding habits among species. Compared to a tilapia study carried out three months after the mine spill during a mortality event, a decrease was evident in the liver for Se and Hg by 7.2 and 4.7 times, respectively. This reveals that cleaning operations were more efficient for Se and less for Hg, and that a prolonged period was required for the partial recovery of the element levels in fish from sites impacted by mining. Considering the Mexican consumption scenarios for each fish species, it could be concluded that there will be no non-cancer risk by exposure to Hg or Se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Páez-Osuna
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, P.O. Box 811, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
- Miembro de El Colegio de Sinaloa, Antonio Rosales 435 Poniente, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
| | - Magdalena E Bergés-Tiznado
- Unidad Académica de Ingeniería en Tecnología Ambiental, Universidad Politécnica de Sinaloa, Carretera Municipal Libre Mazatlán-Higueras Km. 3, C.P. 82199, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Gladys Valencia-Castañeda
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, P.O. Box 811, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Marcela G Fregoso-López
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, P.O. Box 811, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, 04510, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Jesús A León-Cañedo
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, 04510, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Paseo Claussen S/N Col. Centro, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Juan F Fierro-Sañudo
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, 04510, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
- Universidades del Bienestar Benito Juárez García, Buaysiacobe, Etchojoa, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Javier Ramírez-Rochín
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, P.O. Box 811, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
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24
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Zachritz AM, O'Reilly KE, Smith DL, Cooper MJ, Schlaht KM, Lamberti GA. Bioaccumulation of mercury in Lake Michigan painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 196:75. [PMID: 38135786 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12129-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) contamination of aquatic environments can lead to bioaccumulation in organisms, but most previous work has focused on fish and not on semi-aquatic reptiles such as turtles that traverse both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Here, we analyzed total Hg (THg) concentrations in 30 painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) collected from Lake Michigan (USA) coastal wetlands in 2013 to determine if (1) turtles bioaccumulated THg from the environment, (2) concentrations differed between turtle liver and muscle tissue, and (3) tissue concentrations were related to environmental concentrations (e.g., sediment THg). All individual turtles had detectable THg concentrations in both liver and muscle tissue. On average, THg concentrations were over three times higher in liver tissue compared to muscle tissue. We found a positive linear relationship between muscle THg concentrations and turtle body mass, a proxy for age, suggesting bioaccumulation in this species. Neither liver nor muscle THg concentrations followed the sediment contaminant gradient in the wetlands. Despite this, location was a strong predictor of tissue concentration in a linear model suggesting that other site-specific characteristics may be important. Overall, our results demonstrate that painted turtles accumulate mercury in liver and muscle tissues at different rates, which may be constrained by local conditions. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between environmental mercury concentrations and body burdens in animals like turtles that traverse habitats. In addition, long-lived turtles could be incorporated into pollution monitoring programs to provide a more holistic picture of food web contamination and ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Zachritz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Katherine E O'Reilly
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Dayna L Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Matthew J Cooper
- Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 49101, USA
| | - Karl M Schlaht
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Gary A Lamberti
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
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25
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Tornabene BJ, Hossack BR, Halstead BJ, Eagles-Smith CA, Adams MJ, Backlin AR, Brand AB, Emery CS, Fisher RN, Fleming J, Glorioso BM, Grear DA, Grant EHC, Kleeman PM, Miller DAW, Muths E, Pearl CA, Rowe JC, Rumrill CT, Waddle JH, Winzeler ME, Smalling KL. Broad-Scale Assessment of Methylmercury in Adult Amphibians. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:17511-17521. [PMID: 37902062 PMCID: PMC10653216 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic contaminant that has been mobilized and distributed worldwide and is a threat to many wildlife species. Amphibians are facing unprecedented global declines due to many threats including contaminants. While the biphasic life history of many amphibians creates a potential nexus for methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in aquatic habitats and subsequent health effects, the broad-scale distribution of MeHg exposure in amphibians remains unknown. We used nonlethal sampling to assess MeHg bioaccumulation in 3,241 juvenile and adult amphibians during 2017-2021. We sampled 26 populations (14 species) across 11 states in the United States, including several imperiled species that could not have been sampled by traditional lethal methods. We examined whether life history traits of species and whether the concentration of total mercury in sediment or dragonflies could be used as indicators of MeHg bioaccumulation in amphibians. Methylmercury contamination was widespread, with a 33-fold difference in concentrations across sites. Variation among years and clustered subsites was less than variation across sites. Life history characteristics such as size, sex, and whether the amphibian was a frog, toad, newt, or other salamander were the factors most strongly associated with bioaccumulation. Total Hg in dragonflies was a reliable indicator of bioaccumulation of MeHg in amphibians (R2 ≥ 0.67), whereas total Hg in sediment was not (R2 ≤ 0.04). Our study, the largest broad-scale assessment of MeHg bioaccumulation in amphibians, highlights methodological advances that allow for nonlethal sampling of rare species and reveals immense variation among species, life histories, and sites. Our findings can help identify sensitive populations and provide environmentally relevant concentrations for future studies to better quantify the potential threats of MeHg to amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Tornabene
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain
Science Center, Missoula, Montana 59801, United States
| | - Blake R. Hossack
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain
Science Center, Missoula, Montana 59801, United States
- Wildlife
Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, United States
| | - Brian J. Halstead
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research
Center, Dixon, California 95620, United States
| | - Collin A. Eagles-Smith
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Michael J. Adams
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Adam R. Backlin
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research
Center, San Diego, California 92101, United States
| | - Adrianne B. Brand
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center
(Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376, United States
| | - Colleen S. Emery
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Robert N. Fisher
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research
Center, San Diego, California 92101, United States
| | - Jill Fleming
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center
(Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376, United States
| | - Brad M. Glorioso
- U.S.
Geological
Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506, United States
| | - Daniel A. Grear
- U.S.
Geological
Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States
| | - Evan H. Campbell Grant
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center
(Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376, United States
| | - Patrick M. Kleeman
- U.S.
Geological
Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes Station, California 94956, United States
| | - David A. W. Miller
- Department
of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania
State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Erin Muths
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526, United States
| | - Christopher A. Pearl
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Jennifer C. Rowe
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - Caitlin T. Rumrill
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 United States
| | - J. Hardin Waddle
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida 32653, United States
| | - Megan E. Winzeler
- U.S.
Geological
Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, United States
| | - Kelly L. Smalling
- U.S. Geological
Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, United States
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26
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Ci Z, Tang X, Shen W, Chen B. Gaseous mercury exchange between air and highly dynamic tidal flats: A laboratory incubation experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122383. [PMID: 37586689 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Gaseous mercury (mainly elemental mercury, Hg(0)) exchange between air and Earth's surfaces is one of the most critical fluxes governing global Hg cycle. As an important and unique part of intertidal ecosystem, tidal flat is characterized by periodic inundation and exposure due to tidal cycle, generating varying hydrological, photochemical and biogeochemical processes. However, quantitative and mechanistic understanding of Hg(0) dynamics between air and exceptionally dynamic tide flats has remained limited to date. In this study, we select five representative tidal flat sediments from typical coastal habits of Chinese coastlines to perform laboratory incubation experiments for deciphering the effect of the interaction of tidal cycle and solar radiation on Hg(0) dynamics over tidal flats with different sediment compositions. We show that sediment Hg concentration, tidal cycle and solar radiation collectively modulate the air-surface Hg(0) exchange over tidal flats and highlight that the photochemistry dominates the Hg(0) production and emission over tidal flats. We find that the daytime inundation presents highest Hg(0) emission fluxes for Hg-poor sediment, but the daytime exposure is the hot moment of Hg(0) emission from Hg-rich sediments and substantially contributes to daily Hg(0) emission fluxes. In the treatment to mimic semidiurnal tide, the daily Hg(0) fluxes are positively correlated to sediment Hg concentrations. Combining our mechanistic insights on air-surface Hg(0) exchange over tidal flats and related data and knowledge reported by other studies, we discuss the implications of our study for field measurement and model development of Hg(0) dynamics over highly dynamic tidal flats. We conclude that the air-surface Hg(0) dynamics over tidal flats are extremely complex and highly variable, and a greater understanding the interactions between natural processes, human impacts and climate forcings will better constrain current and future Hg biogeochemical cycle in global tidal flats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Ci
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China.
| | - Xiong Tang
- Guangdong Eco-Engineering Polytechnic, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Wenjie Shen
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Geological Process and Mineral Resources Exploration, Zhuhai, 519082, China
| | - Baowei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
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27
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Li M, Tuo Y, Wu Q, Lin H, Feng Q, Duan Y, Wei J, Chen Z, Lv J, Li L. One-step synthesis of thiol-functionalized metal coordination polymers: effective and superfast removal of Hg (II) in the different matrices to ppb level. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 338:139618. [PMID: 37487976 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The mercury in water bodies has posed a great threat to the environment and humans, and removing mercury and purifying wastewater has become a global environmental issue. Adopting Zn(II) coordination polymers (Zn-CPs) emerged as a new approach, however, the kind of Zn-CPs, which solely consisted of amino groups, exhibited unsatisfactory performance in capturing Hg(II) at a low level and causing the subsequent leaching of Zn(II) after adsorption. In this study, we fabricated the thiol-modified Zn-based coordination polymers (Zn-CPs-SH) through a one-step solvothermal reaction to efficiently capture Hg(II) from wastewater. Its preeminent adsorption performance could be maintained across a broad range of pH (2-7), ion strength (Cl-, SO42-, and NO3- at 0-10,000 mg/L), and dissolved organic matter (0-100 mg/L). The impressive properties, including fast kinetics (k2∼1.01 × 10-4 L/min), outstanding adsorption capacity (1278.72 mg/g, 298 K), superior selectivity (Kd∼2.3 × 104 mL/g), and excellent regeneration capability (Re = 93.54% after 5 cycles), were attributed to the ultra-abundance of adsorption sites donating from thiol groups, which was revealed by XPS analysis, DFT calculations, and molecular orbital theory. Noteworthy, the high practical application potential of Zn-CPs-SH was demonstrated by its outstanding Hg(II) removal efficiency (Re ≥ 99.10%) in various Hg(II)-spiked water matrices, e.g., tap water, river water, and industrial wastewater. Importantly, the residual Hg(II) in the treated water declined to the ppb level without any Zn(II) leaching. Overall, it is highly anticipated that the incorporation of Zn-CPs-SH would facilitate the practical implementation of highly efficient Hg(II) removal in wastewater treatment owing to its exhibiting high selective affinity, superior adsorption capacity, and enhanced efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhi Li
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yongjie Tuo
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Qiuxia Wu
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Haiying Lin
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China; State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-cycle Safety for Composite Structures, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.
| | - Qingge Feng
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China; State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-cycle Safety for Composite Structures, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yu Duan
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Junqi Wei
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zixuan Chen
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiatong Lv
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Lianghong Li
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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Lemaire J. Using Crocodylians for monitoring mercury in the tropics. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:977-993. [PMID: 37815690 PMCID: PMC10622360 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02703-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury contamination is a widespread phenomenon that impacts ecosystems worldwide. Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities are responsible for more than a third of atmospheric Hg emission. Due to Hg toxicity and its broad and elevated prevalence in the environment resulting from ASGM activities in the tropics, its biomonitoring is essential to better understand the availability of its methylmercury (MeHg) form in the environment. The Minamata Convention was ratified with the objective to "protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury compounds". Biomagnification of MeHg occurs through the trophic food web, where it biomagnifies and bioaccumulates in top predators. To monitor environmental MeHg contamination, studies have evaluated the use of living organisms; however, reptiles are among the least documented vertebrates regarding MeHg exposure. In this review we evaluate the use of crocodylians for Hg biomonitoring in tropical ecosystems. We found that out of the 28 crocodiles species, only 10 have been evaluated regarding Hg contamination. The remaining challenges when using this taxon for Hg biomonitoring are inconsistencies in the applied methodology (e.g., wet versus dry weight, tissues used, quantification method). However, due to their life history traits, crocodylians are particularly relevant for monitoring MeHg contamination in regions where ASGM activities occur. In conclusion and given their ecological and socio-economic importance, crocodylians are at great risk of MeHg contamination and are excellent bioindicators for tropical ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Lemaire
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
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29
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Alqahtani MA, El-Ghiaty MA, El-Mahrouk SR, El-Kadi AOS. Methylmercury (MeHg) transcriptionally regulates NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in Hepa-1c1c7 cells. Curr Res Toxicol 2023; 5:100126. [PMID: 37808441 PMCID: PMC10556580 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2023.100126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The detoxification of quinones through NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) is a crucial mechanism to maintain cellular homeostasis. The exposure to heavy metals, specifically methylmercury (MeHg), induces several antioxidant enzymes, including NQO1. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NRF2) is known to regulate the expression of Nqo1 gene and also the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is another Nqo1 gene regulator. This co-regulation prompted us to investigate which transcription factor (NRF2 or AHR) orchestrates the regulation of NQO1 expression upon MeHg exposure. Therefore, we investigated how MeHg can modulate the level of NQO1 expression by exposing Hepa-1c1c7 cells to several concentrations of MeHg with and without the addition of NQO1 inducers, DL-sulforaphane (SUL) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). We found that the mRNA expression of Nqo1 is up-regulated by MeHg in time- as well as dose-dependent fashions. Additionally, MeHg increased the NQO1 at all expression levels with and without the presence of its inducers, SUL or TCDD. Furthermore, the MeHg-mediated increase of NQO1 expression was in parallel with a concurrent increase in the nuclear localization of NRF2 protein, but not that of AHR. Mechanistically, the antioxidant response element-driven reporter gene activity was induced by 215% upon MeHg exposure. Also, transfecting Hepa-1c1c7 with Nrf2 siRNA reduced the MeHg-induced NQO1 protein expression by 60%. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that MeHg upregulates the Nqo1 gene through a transcriptional mechanism at least in part via a NRF2-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Alqahtani
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mahmoud A El-Ghiaty
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sara R El-Mahrouk
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ayman O S El-Kadi
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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30
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Johnson JM, Smaga CR, Bock SL, Parrott BB. Maternal provisioning interacts with incubation temperature to affect hatchling mercury exposure in an oviparous reptile. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230097. [PMID: 37554010 PMCID: PMC10410221 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The thermal environment experienced by developing embryos can influence the utilization of maternally provisioned resources. Despite being particularly consequential for oviparous ectotherms, these dynamics are largely unexplored within ecotoxicological frameworks. Here, we test if incubation temperature interacts with maternally transferred mercury to affect subsequent body burdens and tissue distributions of mercury in hatchling American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Nine clutches of alligator eggs were collected from a mercury-contaminated reservoir and incubated at either female- or male-promoting temperatures. Total mercury (THg) concentration was measured in egg yolk collected during incubation and in a suite of tissues collected from hatchlings. THg concentrations in residual yolk and blood were higher in hatchlings incubated at cooler, female-promoting temperatures compared to the warmer, male-promoting temperatures. THg concentrations in most tissues were positively correlated with THg concentrations in blood and dermis, and egg yolk THg concentration was the best predictor of THg concentration in many resultant tissues. Our results highlight a hereto unknown role of the developmental environment in mediating tissue specific uptake of contaminants in an oviparous reptile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah M. Johnson
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Christopher R. Smaga
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Samantha L. Bock
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Benjamin B. Parrott
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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31
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Jarzynowska M, Saniewska D, Fudala K, Wilman B, Balazy P, Płońska P, Saniewski M. Mercury and methylmercury in birds and marine mammals inhabiting the coastal zone of the two King George Island's bays: Admiralty and King George Bay (maritime Antarctic). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115237. [PMID: 37421914 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The Antarctic is particularly sensitive to mercury (Hg) pollution and even low levels of Hg may cause significant damage in this fragile environment. The aim of this study was to investigate routes of mercury and methylmercury (MeHg) elimination by animals inhabiting the maritime Antarctic. The results showed that organisms at the highest trophic level (elephant seal) have the highest concentrations of THg and MeHg in both excrement and fur samples. Interspecies differences in mercury levels were observed in materials sourced from penguins of the genus Pysgocelis.13C and 15N values confirmed differences in the diets and foraging areas, which may affect Hg concentration in the tissues we analyzed. Time variations in THg and MeHg concentrations were observed in the excrement of the penguin species, which may be due to periods of fasting and intense feeding closely related to egg laying and moulting stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Jarzynowska
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Dominika Saniewska
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Fudala
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5a, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Wilman
- Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute, Waszyngtona 42, 81-342 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Piotr Balazy
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712, Sopot, Poland
| | - Patrycja Płońska
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Michał Saniewski
- Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute, Waszyngtona 42, 81-342 Gdynia, Poland
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32
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Lazarus M, Sergiel A, Ferenčaković M, Orct T, Kapronczai L, Pađen L, Janz DM, Reljić S, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Zięba F, Selva N, Huber Đ. Stress and reproductive hormones in hair associated with contaminant metal(loid)s of European brown bear (Ursus arctos). CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 325:138354. [PMID: 36907481 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants like arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) or lead (Pb) may disrupt hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes due to their endocrine toxicity potential. Resulting long-term physiological stress or adverse effects on wildlife reproduction and ontogeny may cause detrimental effects at the individual and population levels. However, data on environmental metal(loid)s' impact on reproductive and stress hormones in wildlife, especially large terrestrial carnivores, are scarce. Hair cortisol, progesterone and testosterone concentrations were quantified and modelled with hair As, Cd, total Hg, Pb, biological, environmental and sampling factors to test for potential effects in free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) from Croatia (N = 46) and Poland (N = 27). Testosterone in males (N = 48) and females (N = 25) showed positive associations with Hg and an interaction between Cd and Pb, but a negative association with interaction between age and Pb. Higher testosterone was found in hair during its growth phase compared to quiescent phase. Body condition index was negatively associated with hair cortisol and positively associated with hair progesterone. Year and conditions of sampling were important for cortisol variation, while maturity stage for progesterone variation (lower concentrations in cubs and yearlings compared to subadult and adult bears). These findings suggest that environmental levels of Cd, Hg and Pb might influence the HPG axis in brown bears. Hair was shown to be a reliable non-invasive sample for investigating hormonal fluctuations in wildlife while addressing individual and sampling specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation of Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.
| | | | - Tatjana Orct
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Lana Pađen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - David M Janz
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
| | - Slaven Reljić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | | | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation of Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland; Departamento de Ciencias Integradas, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Física, Matemáticas y Computación, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain.
| | - Đuro Huber
- Institute of Nature Conservation of Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
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33
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Li Z, Pethybridge HR, Wu F, Li Y. Mercury bioaccumulation in thresher sharks from the eastern tropical Pacific: Influences of body size, maturation stage, and feeding habitat. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162248. [PMID: 36804976 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sharks, as top order predators, provide a guidance on how contaminants such as mercury bioaccumulate in marine environments. This study assessed the bioaccumulation of mercury (total mercury, THg) in the muscle, liver, red blood cells (RBC), and plasma of pelagic and bigeye thresher sharks (Alopias pelagicus and A. superciliosus) from eastern tropical Pacific. Additionally, the concentration of methylmercury (MeHg) in muscle was also determined to assess risks for human consumption. For both species, muscle THg concentrations (4.05 ± 2.15 and 4.12 ± 1.84 μg g-1 dry weight for pelagic and bigeye thresher shark) were higher than that in other tissues. THg concentrations for all tissues were significantly correlated with precaudal length, with higher accumulation rates after maturity in pelagic than bigeye thresher sharks, suggesting an associated dietary shift at maturation. Correlations among tissues in both species suggested similar transportation and distribution patterns in internal tissues. The δ13C values in muscle, RBC and plasma suggested that habitat shifts influenced Hg accumulation, whereas trophic position, estimated by δ15N values, had limited effects on patterns of Hg bioaccumulation. Diet shifts towards prey more cephalopods that content higher Hg than small fishes (large fishes: 1.77 μg g-1; cephalopods: 0.66 μg g-1 and small fishes 0.48 μg g-1, dry weight) increased Hg accumulation rates in adult pelagic thresher sharks. Concentrations of MeHg in the muscle of both thresher shark (3.42 ± 1.68 μg g-1 in A. pelagicus and 3.78 ± 2.13 μg g-1 in A. superciliosus) exceeded the recommended levels for human consumption. This research provides insight into the factors influencing mercury bioaccumulation in thresher sharks, which are essential for the management and conservation of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zezheng Li
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Heidi R Pethybridge
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Feng Wu
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yunkai Li
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China.
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34
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Johnson JM, Bock SL, Smaga CR, Lambert MR, Rainwater TR, Wilkinson PM, Parrott BB. Relationships between maternally-transferred mercury and hatchling development, behavior, and survival in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:162010. [PMID: 36739038 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic and pervasive environmental contaminant that can be transferred from mother to offspring during development. Consequences of maternally-transferred mercury have been observed in vertebrate taxa, including reduced clutch viability, reduced offspring size, and behavioral alterations. These sublethal effects have been assumed to decrease survivorship, though this is seldom assessed. Here, we examined how maternally-transferred mercury interacts with incubation temperature to influence reproductive success, offspring behavior, and subsequent survival in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). We collected nine clutches of eggs from a mercury contaminated reservoir on the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, and incubated eggs at either female- or male-promoting temperatures. Clutch-averaged mercury in egg yolk was high relative to other studies in crocodilians and ranged from 0.248 to 0.554 ppm compared to 0.018-0.052 ppm at a site with low levels of mercury contamination; mercury levels in hatchling blood ranged from 0.090 to 0.490 ppm (x¯ = 0.240 ppm, n = 158). We found few, mostly negligible correlations between life history traits and mercury but noted a positive relationship with egg mass, possibly mediated by correlated maternal effects such as resource provisioning. Incubation temperature exerted strong effects on hatchling phenotypes, with warmer, male-promoting temperatures producing larger and bolder hatchlings. Presumptive females, produced from cooler incubation temperatures, spent more time in warm areas during behavior trials. Hatchlings were released 10-15 days post-hatch and surveyed over eight months to assess survival. Survivorship was positively correlated with hatchling size and negatively correlated with proportional time spent in warm areas. Presumptive females had much lower survival, and overall survivorship for the eight-month period was 0.185-0.208, depending on the modelling approach. Our study suggests that, within the range of concentrations we observed, incubation temperature has a stronger effect on offspring behavior and survival than maternally-transferred mercury pollution in American alligators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah M Johnson
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| | - Samantha L Bock
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Christopher R Smaga
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Max R Lambert
- Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Thomas R Rainwater
- Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC 29442, United States; Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, Georgetown, SC 29440, United States
| | | | - Benjamin B Parrott
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
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35
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Willacker JJ, Eagles-Smith CA, Nelson SJ, Flanagan Pritz CM, Krabbenhoft DP. The influence of short-term temporal variability on the efficacy of dragonfly larvae as mercury biosentinels. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 867:161469. [PMID: 36632899 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) exposure to fish, wildlife, and humans is widespread and of global concern, thus stimulating efforts to reduce emissions. Because the relationships between rates of inorganic Hg loading, methylmercury (MeHg) production, and bioaccumulation are extremely complex and challenging to predict, there is a need for reliable biosentinels to understand the distribution of Hg in the environment and monitor the effectiveness of reduction efforts. However, it is important to assess how temporal and spatial variation at multiple scales influences the efficacy of specific biosentinels. Seasonal and interannual variation in total Hg (THg) concentrations of dragonfly larvae were examined in relation to spatial variability among 21 sites in two U.S. national parks with contrasting ecologies and Hg deposition patterns. Dragonfly THg differed among sampling events at 17 of the 21 sites, but by an average of only 20.4 % across events, compared to an average difference of 52.7 % among sites. Further, THg concentrations did not follow consistent seasonal patterns across sites or years, suggesting that the observed temporal variation was unlikely to bias monitoring efforts. Importantly, for a specific site, there was no difference in % MeHg in dragonflies among sampling events. Finally, there was significant temporal variability in the biogeochemical factors (aqueous inorganic Hg, aqueous MeHg, DOC, SO4, and pH) influencing dragonfly THg, with the importance of individual factors varying by 2.4 to 4.3-fold across sampling events. Despite these results, it is noteworthy that the observed temporal variation in dragonfly THg concentrations was neither large nor consistent enough to bias spatial assessments. Thus, although this temporal variation may provide insights into the processes influencing biological Hg concentrations, it is unlikely to impair the use of dragonflies as biosentinels for monitoring spatial or temporal patterns at scales relevant to most mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Willacker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Sarah J Nelson
- Appalachian Mountain Club, 361 Route 16, Gorham, NH 03581, USA
| | | | - David P Krabbenhoft
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr, Madison, WI 53726, USA
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36
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Peraza I, Chételat J, Richardson M, Jung TS, Awan M, Baryluk S, Dastoor A, Harrower W, Kukka PM, McClelland C, Mowat G, Pelletier N, Rodford C, Ryjkov A. Diet and landscape characteristics drive spatial patterns of mercury accumulation in a high-latitude terrestrial carnivore. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285826. [PMID: 37186585 PMCID: PMC10184919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited information exists on mercury concentrations and environmental drivers of mercury bioaccumulation in high latitude terrestrial carnivores. Spatial patterns of mercury concentrations in wolverine (Gulo gulo, n = 419) were assessed across a 1,600,000 km2 study area in relation to landscape, climate, diet and biological factors in Arctic and boreal biomes of western Canada. Hydrogen stable isotope ratios were measured in wolverine hair from a subset of 80 animals to assess the spatial scale for characterizing environmental conditions of their habitat. Habitat characteristics were determined using GIS methods and raster datasets at two scales, the collection location point and a 150 km radius buffer, which was selected based on results of a correlation analysis between hydrogen stable isotopes in precipitation and wolverine hair. Total mercury concentrations in wolverine muscle ranged >2 orders of magnitude from 0.01 to 5.72 μg/g dry weight and varied geographically, with the highest concentrations in the Northwest Territories followed by Nunavut and Yukon. Regression models at both spatial scales indicated diet (based on nitrogen stable isotope ratios) was the strongest explanatory variable of mercury concentrations in wolverine, with smaller though statistically significant contributions from landscape variables (soil organic carbon, percent cover of wet area, percent cover of perennial snow-ice) and distance to the Arctic Ocean coast. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of wolverine muscle suggested greater mercury bioaccumulation could be associated with feeding on marine biota in coastal habitats. Landscape variables identified in the modelling may reflect habitat conditions which support enhanced methylmercury transfer to terrestrial biota. Spatially-explicit estimates of wet atmospheric deposition were positively correlated with wolverine mercury concentrations but this variable was not selected in the final regression models. These landscape patterns provide a basis for further research on underlying processes enhancing methylmercury uptake in high latitude terrestrial food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Peraza
- Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Murray Richardson
- Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas S Jung
- Department of Environment, Government of Yukon, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Malik Awan
- Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, Igloolik, Nunavut, Canada
| | - Steve Baryluk
- Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada
| | - Ashu Dastoor
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Air Quality Research Division, Dorval, Quebec, Canada
| | - William Harrower
- Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Piia M Kukka
- Department of Environment, Government of Yukon, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
| | - Christine McClelland
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Garth Mowat
- Ministry of Forests, British Columbia Government, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pelletier
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine Rodford
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrei Ryjkov
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Air Quality Research Division, Dorval, Quebec, Canada
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Picone M, Distefano GG, Benhene GA, Corami F, Basso M, Panzarin L, Carabelli C, Volpi Ghirardini A. Seabirds as Biomonitors of Mercury Bioavailability in the Venice Lagoon. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 110:2. [PMID: 36484834 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-022-03650-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Seabirds accumulate mercury (Hg) due to their long-life span together with their high trophic position. A Hg monitoring in Venice's Lagoon using three seabird species occupying different trophic habitat (Thalasseus sandvicensis, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus, and Chroicocephalus ridibundus) confirmed that fledgelings might effectively be used as sentinels of Hg bioavailability. The significant differences in Hg residues in feathers observed among the species highlighted a possible differential exposure due to different diets, with C. ridibundus accumulating more Hg than the other species. Average residues in feathers were not above the threshold associated with adverse effects on birds (5 mg kg- 1). Nevertheless, a large part of the C. ridibundus individuals (58%) exceeded the adverse effect level, underlining the need for strengthening Hg monitoring. Seabirds indeed may provide relevant insight on Hg transfer in food webs and a better picture of the hazards to men when bird species forage on species exploited for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Picone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico via Torino 155, I-30170, Mestre, Venezia, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Giuseppe Distefano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico via Torino 155, I-30170, Mestre, Venezia, Italy
| | - Godbless Adu Benhene
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico via Torino 155, I-30170, Mestre, Venezia, Italy
| | - Fabiana Corami
- Istituto di Scienze Polari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Torino 155, I-30170, Mestre, Venezia, Italy
| | | | - Lucio Panzarin
- Associazione Naturalistica Sandonatese, c/o Centro Didattico Naturalistico il Pendolino, via Romanziol 130, 30020, Noventa di Piave, Venezia, Italy
| | - Caterina Carabelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico via Torino 155, I-30170, Mestre, Venezia, Italy
| | - Annamaria Volpi Ghirardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari, Campus Scientifico via Torino 155, I-30170, Mestre, Venezia, Italy
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Jonsson S, Mastromonaco MN, Wang F, Bravo AG, Cairns WRL, Chételat J, Douglas TA, Lescord G, Ukonmaanaho L, Heimbürger-Boavida LE. Arctic methylmercury cycling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:157445. [PMID: 35882324 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic mercury (Hg) undergoes long-range transport to the Arctic where some of it is transformed into methylmercury (MeHg), potentially leading to high exposure in some Arctic inhabitants and wildlife. The environmental exposure of Hg is determined not just by the amount of Hg entering the Arctic, but also by biogeochemical and ecological processes occurring in the Arctic. These processes affect MeHg uptake in biota by regulating the bioavailability, methylation and demethylation, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of MeHg in Arctic ecosystems. Here, we present a new budget for pools and fluxes of MeHg in the Arctic and review the scientific advances made in the last decade on processes leading to environmental exposure to Hg. Methylation and demethylation are key processes controlling the pool of MeHg available for bioaccumulation. Methylation of Hg occurs in diverse Arctic environments including permafrost, sediments and the ocean water column, and is primarily a process carried out by microorganisms. While microorganisms carrying the hgcAB gene pair (responsible for Hg methylation) have been identified in Arctic soils and thawing permafrost, the formation pathway of MeHg in oxic marine waters remains less clear. Hotspots for methylation of Hg in terrestrial environments include thermokarst wetlands, ponds and lakes. The shallow sub-surface enrichment of MeHg in the Arctic Ocean, in comparison to other marine systems, is a possible explanation for high MeHg concentrations in some Arctic biota. Bioconcentration of aqueous MeHg in bacteria and algae is a critical step in the transfer of Hg to top predators, which may be dampened or enhanced by the presence of organic matter. Variable trophic position has an important influence on MeHg concentrations among populations of top predator species such as ringed seal and polar bears distributed across the circumpolar Arctic. These scientific advances highlight key processes that affect the fate of anthropogenic Hg deposited to Arctic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofi Jonsson
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Feiyue Wang
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, and Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Andrea G Bravo
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Warren R L Cairns
- CNR Institute of Polar Sciences and Ca' Foscari University, Venice, Italy
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Thomas A Douglas
- U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Fort Wainwright, AK, USA
| | - Gretchen Lescord
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada and Laurentian University, Vale Living with Lakes Center, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liisa Ukonmaanaho
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), P.O. Box 2, FI-00791 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lars-Eric Heimbürger-Boavida
- CNRS/INSU,Aix Marseille Université,Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Marseille, France
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Li C, Luo K, Shao Y, Xu X, Chen Z, Liang T, Xu Z, Dong X, Wang H, Qiu G. Total and methylmercury concentrations in nocturnal migratory birds passing through Mount Ailao, Southwest China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114373. [PMID: 36165871 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite growing concerns over mercury (Hg) accumulation in birds in recent decades, little is known about Hg exposure in nocturnal migratory birds. Here, total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were detected in the feathers of nocturnal migratory birds (n = 286, belonging to 46 species) passing through Mount Ailao in Southwest China. The stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were also determined to clarify the effects of trophic position, foraging guild, and foraging behavior on Hg bioaccumulation. Our results show that the THg and MeHg concentrations varied by two orders of magnitude among all nocturnal migratory birds investigated, with the lowest values (THg: 0.056 mg kg-1; MeHg: 0.038 mg kg-1) in the Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) and the highest (THg: 12 mg kg-1; MeHg: 7.8 mg kg-1) in the hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus). Waterbirds showed higher δ15N values and higher THg and MeHg concentrations than songbirds, and the Hg concentrations in piscivorous species were significantly higher than those in herbivores, omnivores, and insectivores. Significant effects of foraging guilds (Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001) and foraging behaviors (Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001) on the Hg concentrations in migratory bird feathers were detected. A risk assessment indicated that approximately 7.0% of individuals were at moderate (2.4-5.0 mg kg-1) to high (>5.0 mg kg-1) risk of Hg exposure, and were therefore vulnerable to adverse physiological and behavioral effects. A long-term monitoring campaign during the migratory period is highly recommended to better understand the bioaccumulation of Hg in these nocturnal migratory bird populations over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Kang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuxiao Shao
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China.
| | - Tao Liang
- Zhenyuan Management and Protection Bureau of Ailao Mountain National Nature Reserve, Zhenyuan, 666500, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xian Dong
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Hongdong Wang
- Zhenyuan Management and Protection Bureau of Ailao Mountain National Nature Reserve, Zhenyuan, 666500, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Rundio DE, Rivera R, Weiss-Penzias PS. High mercury concentrations in steelhead/rainbow trout, sculpin, and terrestrial invertebrates in a stream-riparian food web in coastal California. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:1506-1519. [PMID: 36449122 PMCID: PMC9709357 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02608-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Stream and riparian food webs are connected by cross-habitat exchanges of invertebrate prey that can transfer contaminants including mercury. Marine fog has been identified as a source of methylmercury (MeHg) to some terrestrial food webs in coastal California, suggesting that terrestrial invertebrates might have elevated MeHg relative to stream invertebrates and might lead to higher mercury exposure in fish that consume terrestrial subsidies. As an initial step to examine this possibility, we analyzed mercury concentrations in terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates and two fish species, steelhead/rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus), in a small watershed. Mean MeHg and total mercury (THg) concentrations in terrestrial invertebrates were three to four times higher than in aquatic invertebrates of the same trophic level. MeHg was >1000 ng/g dw in some individual centipede and scorpion samples, and also relatively high (100-300 ng/g dw) in some terrestrial detritivores, including non-native isopods. Mean THg in age 0 trout was 400 ng/g dw compared to 1200-1300 ng/g dw in age 1+ trout and sculpin, and the largest trout sampled had THg >3500 ng/g dw. However, the similar mercury concentrations between age 1+ trout and sculpin, despite different diet types, indicated that Hg concentrations in fish were not related simply to differences in consumption of terrestrial invertebrates. The high mercury concentrations we found in terrestrial invertebrates and fish suggest that further research on the sources and bioaccumulation of mercury is warranted in this region where O. mykiss populations are threatened.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Rundio
- Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 110 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
| | - Roberto Rivera
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 544 Engineering Tower, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Peter S Weiss-Penzias
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
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Chastel O, Fort J, Ackerman JT, Albert C, Angelier F, Basu N, Blévin P, Brault-Favrou M, Bustnes JO, Bustamante P, Danielsen J, Descamps S, Dietz R, Erikstad KE, Eulaers I, Ezhov A, Fleishman AB, Gabrielsen GW, Gavrilo M, Gilchrist G, Gilg O, Gíslason S, Golubova E, Goutte A, Grémillet D, Hallgrimsson GT, Hansen ES, Hanssen SA, Hatch S, Huffeldt NP, Jakubas D, Jónsson JE, Kitaysky AS, Kolbeinsson Y, Krasnov Y, Letcher RJ, Linnebjerg JF, Mallory M, Merkel FR, Moe B, Montevecchi WJ, Mosbech A, Olsen B, Orben RA, Provencher JF, Ragnarsdottir SB, Reiertsen TK, Rojek N, Romano M, Søndergaard J, Strøm H, Takahashi A, Tartu S, Thórarinsson TL, Thiebot JB, Will AP, Wilson S, Wojczulanis-Jakubas K, Yannic G. Mercury contamination and potential health risks to Arctic seabirds and shorebirds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:156944. [PMID: 35752241 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Since the last Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) effort to review biological effects of mercury (Hg) on Arctic biota in 2011 and 2018, there has been a considerable number of new Arctic bird studies. This review article provides contemporary Hg exposure and potential health risk for 36 Arctic seabird and shorebird species, representing a larger portion of the Arctic than during previous AMAP assessments now also including parts of the Russian Arctic. To assess risk to birds, we used Hg toxicity benchmarks established for blood and converted to egg, liver, and feather tissues. Several Arctic seabird populations showed Hg concentrations that exceeded toxicity benchmarks, with 50 % of individual birds exceeding the "no adverse health effect" level. In particular, 5 % of all studied birds were considered to be at moderate or higher risk to Hg toxicity. However, most seabirds (95 %) were generally at lower risk to Hg toxicity. The highest Hg contamination was observed in seabirds breeding in the western Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Most Arctic shorebirds exhibited low Hg concentrations, with approximately 45 % of individuals categorized at no risk, 2.5 % at high risk category, and no individual at severe risk. Although the majority Arctic-breeding seabirds and shorebirds appeared at lower risk to Hg toxicity, recent studies have reported deleterious effects of Hg on some pituitary hormones, genotoxicity, and reproductive performance. Adult survival appeared unaffected by Hg exposure, although long-term banding studies incorporating Hg are still limited. Although Hg contamination across the Arctic is considered low for most bird species, Hg in combination with other stressors, including other contaminants, diseases, parasites, and climate change, may still cause adverse effects. Future investigations on the global impact of Hg on Arctic birds should be conducted within a multi-stressor framework. This information helps to address Article 22 (Effectiveness Evaluation) of the Minamata Convention on Mercury as a global pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA 95620, United States.
| | - Céline Albert
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Niladri Basu
- McGill University, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | | | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 75005 Paris, France
| | | | | | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Igor Eulaers
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram center, 9296 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Alexey Ezhov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute Russian Academy of Science, 183010 Vladimirskaya str. 17 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Abram B Fleishman
- Conservation Metrics, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Maria Gavrilo
- Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, 199397 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Grant Gilchrist
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0H3
| | - Olivier Gilg
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, 25000 Besançon, France; Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, F-21440 Francheville, France
| | - Sindri Gíslason
- Southwest Iceland Nature Research Centre, Gardvegur 1, 245 Sudurnesjabaer, Iceland
| | - Elena Golubova
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Institute of Biological Problems of the North, RU-685000 Magadan, Portovaya Str., 18, Russia
| | - Aurélie Goutte
- EPHE, PSL Research University, UMR 7619 METIS, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175 Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France,; Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Gunnar T Hallgrimsson
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Erpur S Hansen
- South Iceland Nature Research Centre, Ægisgata 2, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
| | | | - Scott Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, Anchorage, 99516-3185, AK, USA
| | - Nicholas P Huffeldt
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jón Einar Jónsson
- University of Iceland's Research Center at Snæfellsnes, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland
| | - Alexander S Kitaysky
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology & Wildlife, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000, United States of America
| | | | - Yuri Krasnov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute Russian Academy of Science, 183010 Vladimirskaya str. 17 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0H3
| | | | - Mark Mallory
- Biology, Acadia University Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Flemming Ravn Merkel
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Børge Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - William J Montevecchi
- Memorial Univerisity of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newoundland A1C 3X9, Canada
| | - Anders Mosbech
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bergur Olsen
- Faroe Marine Reseaqrch Institute, Nóatún 1, FO-110 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Rachael A Orben
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3
| | | | - Tone K Reiertsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Nora Rojek
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - Marc Romano
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Hallvard Strøm
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram center, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Sabrina Tartu
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | | | - Jean-Baptiste Thiebot
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Alexis P Will
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology & Wildlife, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000, United States of America; National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Simon Wilson
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Secretariat, The Fram Centre, Box 6606, Stakkevollan, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Glenn Yannic
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000 Grenoble, France
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Leaphart JC, Abercrombie SA, Borchert EJ, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. Bioaccumulation of Mercury and Radiocesium in Waterfowl Introduced to a Site with Legacy Contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2479-2487. [PMID: 35866467 PMCID: PMC9804915 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the propensity of waterfowl species to readily accumulate anthropogenic contaminants within polluted environments, few studies have examined bioaccumulation rates over time when entering such a contaminated site. We examined mercury (Hg) and radiocesium (137 Cs) bioaccumulation over time in two waterfowl species released into a wetland system containing legacy contamination on the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Released birds were collected at select time intervals over an exposure period of 94 days. We quantified total Hg concentrations in blood, muscle, and liver tissues, and 137 Cs activity in whole-body and muscle tissues. The relationship between the contaminant burdens of different body tissue types was examined over time. Likely a result of microhabitat selection, mallards in our study readily accumulated both Hg and 137 Cs at consistent rates over time within our study system, while ring-neck ducks did not. The findings demonstrated that whole blood can be used as a robust, nondestructive sampling alternative to estimate Hg burdens within muscle and liver, and whole-body 137 Cs activity is a good predictor of muscle burdens. Understanding such bioaccumulation information in waterfowl is useful for the assessment of the potential health risk in wildlife, as well as being important for human risk assessment toward the consumption of popular game species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2479-2487. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. Leaphart
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | | | - Ernest J. Borchert
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Albert L. Bryan
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
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43
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Hilgendag IR, Swanson HK, Lewis CW, Ehrman AD, Power M. Mercury biomagnification in benthic, pelagic, and benthopelagic food webs in an Arctic marine ecosystem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156424. [PMID: 35662606 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous toxic metal that biomagnifies in food webs, and can reach high concentrations in top predators. Evaluating Hg biomagnification in Arctic marine food webs is critical for understanding Hg dynamics and estimating exposure to understudied fish and wildlife consumed by humans. The majority of studies conducted on Hg biomagnification in the Arctic have focused on pelagic food webs. Benthic and benthopelagic food webs in Arctic marine ecosystems also support many species of subsistence and commercial importance, and data are lacking for these systems. In this study, we investigated food web structure and Hg biomagnification for the benthic, pelagic, and benthopelagic marine food webs of inner Frobisher Bay in Nunavut. Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N), as well as total (THg) and methyl (MeHg) mercury concentrations were measured in fish, invertebrates, and zooplankton. Biomagnification in each food web was quantified with Trophic Magnification Slopes (TMS) and Trophic Magnification Factors (TMF). The highest TMS and TMF values were exhibited by the benthopelagic food web (TMS = 0.201; TMF = 1.59), followed by the pelagic food web (TMS = 0.183; TMF = 1.52), and lastly the benthic food web (TMS = 0.079; TMF = 1.20), with δ15N explaining 88%, 79%, and 9% of variation in Hg concentrations, respectively. TMS and TMF values were generally low compared to other Arctic marine food webs. Results from food web structure analyses indicated that the benthic food web had the greatest trophic diversity, trophic redundancy, and largest isotopic niche area of all food webs studied. Greater food web complexity may thus result in reduced MeHg biomagnification, but further study is required. Acquiring Hg and food web structure data is critical for predicting the effects of climate-induced environmental change on Hg dynamics, especially in the context of Arctic marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel R Hilgendag
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Heidi K Swanson
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | | | - Ashley D Ehrman
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Michael Power
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
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44
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Li Z, Pethybridge HR, Gong Y, Wu F, Dai X, Li Y. Effect of body size, feeding ecology and maternal transfer on mercury accumulation of vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis in the eastern tropical pacific. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 309:119751. [PMID: 35835271 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis is a large pelagic species distributed in the global oceans and was recently listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN because of its decline in population due to overfishing. As an apex predator, the silky shark can accumulate elevated quantities of mercury (Hg), posing a potential risk to its remaining population. In this study, total Hg (THg) concentrations were determined in silky shark muscle, liver, dermis, red blood cells (RBC) and plasma sampled from the eastern tropical Pacific, and δ15N values were measured to explore the influence of feeding ecology on Hg accumulation. The highest THg concentrations were in muscle (7.81 ± 6.70 μg g-1 dry weight (dw) or 2.14 ± 1.83 μg g-1 wet weight (ww)) and liver (7.88 ± 10.22 μg g-1 dw or 4.66 ± 6.04 μg g-1 ww) rather than dermis, RBC and plasma. The THg concentrations in all tissue types were significantly correlated with fork length and showed faster accumulation rates after maturity. Maternal THg transfer was observed in silky sharks with embryos having 33.16% and 1.98% in muscle and liver compared with their respective mothers. The potentially harmful THg concentrations in silky shark tissues and embryos may lead to health problems of sharks and consumers. THg concentrations were negatively correlated with δ15N values for all tissues, indicating likely baseline variations in δ15N values that reflect changes in the foraging habitats or regions of silky sharks with size or age. Lastly, strong correlations were observed among THg concentrations of all tissue types, indicating that nonlethal sampling of muscle and dermis tissue can be used effectively to quantify THg concentration of other internal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zezheng Li
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Heidi R Pethybridge
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Yi Gong
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China.
| | - Feng Wu
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojie Dai
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunkai Li
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Oceanic Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oceanic Fisheries Exploration, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, China.
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45
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Teitelbaum CS, Ackerman JT, Hill MA, Satter JM, Casazza ML, De La Cruz SEW, Boyce WM, Buck EJ, Eadie JM, Herzog MP, Matchett EL, Overton CT, Peterson SH, Plancarte M, Ramey AM, Sullivan JD, Prosser DJ. Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221312. [PMID: 36069010 PMCID: PMC9449466 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations, influenza infection, influenza antibodies and body condition in 749 individuals from 11 species of wild ducks overwintering in California. We found that the odds of prior influenza infection increased more than fivefold across the observed range of blood mercury concentrations, while accounting for species, age, sex and date. Influenza infection prevalence was also higher in species with higher average mercury concentrations. We detected no relationship between influenza infection and body fat content. This positive relationship between influenza prevalence and mercury concentrations in migratory waterfowl suggests that immunotoxic effects of mercury contamination could promote the spread of avian influenza along migratory flyways, especially if influenza has minimal effects on bird health and mobility. More generally, these results show that the effects of environmental contamination could extend beyond the geographical area of contamination itself by altering the prevalence of infectious diseases in highly mobile hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire S. Teitelbaum
- Akima Systems Engineering, Herndon, VA, USA
- Contractor to U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Joshua T. Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Mason A. Hill
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline M. Satter
- UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael L. Casazza
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Susan E. W. De La Cruz
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | | | - Evan J. Buck
- U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - John M. Eadie
- UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mark P. Herzog
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Elliott L. Matchett
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Cory T. Overton
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Sarah H. Peterson
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | | | - Andrew M. Ramey
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | | | - Diann J. Prosser
- U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, MD, USA
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46
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Wang J, Xiang Y, Tian X, Zhang C, Gong G, Xue J, Jiang T, Wang D, Wang Y. Role of the rhizosphere of a flooding-tolerant herb in promoting mercury methylation in water-level fluctuation zones. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 119:139-151. [PMID: 35934459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) has been considered as a hotspot for mercury (Hg) methylation. Flooding-tolerant herbs are gradually acclimated to this water-land ecotone, tending to form substantial root systems for improving erosion resistance. Accompanying rhizosphere microzone plays crucial but unclear roles in methylmercury (MeHg) formation in the WLFZ. Thus, we conducted this study in the WLFZ of the Three Gorges Reservoir, to explore effects of the rhizosphere of a dominant flooding-tolerant herb (bermudagrass) on MeHg production. The elevated Hg and MeHg in rhizosphere soils suggest that the rhizosphere environment provides favorable conditions for Hg accumulation and methylation. The increased bioavailable Hg and microbial activity in the rhizosphere probably serve as important factors driving MeHg formation in the presence of bermudagrass. Simultaneously, the rhizosphere environments changed the richness, diversity, and distribution of hgcA-containing microorganisms. Here, a typical iron-reducing bacterium (Geobacteraceae) has been screened, however, the majority of hgcA genes detected in rhizosphere, near-, and non-rhizosphere soils of the WLFZ were unclassified. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the elevated MeHg production as related to microbial processes in the rhizosphere of perennial herbs in the WLFZ, with general implications for Hg cycling in other ecosystems with water-level fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuping Xiang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology & Health Effect, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xiaosong Tian
- College of Resources and Safety, Chongqing Vocational Institute of Engineering, Chongqing 402260, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guiqing Gong
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jinping Xue
- Institut des Sciences Analytiques et des Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), UMR 5254, CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Pau 64000, France
| | - Tao Jiang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dingyong Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Yongmin Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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47
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Nyholt K, Jardine TD, Villamarín F, Jacobi CM, Hawes JE, Campos-Silva JV, Srayko S, Magnusson WE. High rates of mercury biomagnification in fish from Amazonian floodplain-lake food webs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155161. [PMID: 35421468 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite a global phase out of some point sources, mercury (Hg) remains elevated in aquatic food webs, posing health risks for fish-eating consumers. Many tropical regions have fast growing organisms, potentially short food chains, and few industrial point sources, suggesting low Hg baselines and low rates of trophic magnification with limited risk to people. Nevertheless, insufficient work on food-web Hg has been undertaken in the tropics and fish consumption is high in some regions. We studied Hg concentrations in fishes from floodplain lakes of the Juruá River, Amazonas, Brazil with three objectives: 1) determine rates of Hg trophic magnification, 2) assess whether Hg concentrations are high enough to impact humans eating fish, and 3) determine whether there are seasonal differences in fish Hg concentrations. A total of 377 fish-muscle samples were collected from 12 floodplain lakes during the low-water (September 2018) and falling-water (June 2019) seasons and analysed for total Hg and stable nitrogen (N) isotopes. The average trophic magnification factor (increase per trophic level) was 10.1 in the low-water season and 5.4 in the falling-water season, both well above the global average for freshwaters. This high rate of trophic magnification, coupled with higher-than-expected Hg concentrations in herbivorous species, led to high concentrations (up to 17.6 ng/g dry weight) in predatory pirarucu and piranha. Nearly 70% of all samples had Hg concentrations above the recommended human-consumption guidelines. Average concentrations were 42% higher in the low-water season than the falling-water season, but differences varied by species. Since Hg concentrations are higher than expected and fish consumption in this region is high, future research should focus on Hg exposure for human populations here and in other tropical-rainforest regions, even in the absence of local point sources of Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Nyholt
- Toxicology Centre and School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Timothy D Jardine
- Toxicology Centre and School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada.
| | - Francisco Villamarín
- Grupo de Biogeografía y Ecología Espacial (BioGeoE(2)), Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, km7 vía Muyuna, Tena, Ecuador
| | - Cristina M Jacobi
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2936, Petrópolis, Manaus, Amazonas 69067-375, Brazil; Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida 24 A 1515, Rio Claro, São Paulo 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Joseph E Hawes
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Universitetstunet 3, 1433 Ås, Norway; Applied Ecology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK; Instituto Juruá, Manaus, Amazonas 69083-300, Brazil
| | - João V Campos-Silva
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Universitetstunet 3, 1433 Ås, Norway; Instituto Juruá, Manaus, Amazonas 69083-300, Brazil
| | - Stephen Srayko
- Toxicology Centre and School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - William E Magnusson
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2936, Petrópolis, Manaus, Amazonas 69067-375, Brazil
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48
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Wu X, Chen L, Li X, Cao X, Zheng X, Li R, Zhang J, Luo X, Mai B. Trophic transfer of methylmercury and brominated flame retardants in adjacent riparian and aquatic food webs: 13C indicates biotransport of contaminants through food webs. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119433. [PMID: 35550129 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biomagnification of persistent toxic substances (PTSs) in food chains is of environmental concern, but studies on biotransport of PTSs across aquatic and riparian food chains are still incomplete. In this study, biomagnification of several PTSs including methylmercury (MeHg), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and 1,2-bis (2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE) was investigated in adjacent aquatic and riparian food webs. Concentrations of MeHg and PBDEs ranged from 2.37 to 353 ng/g dry weight (dw) and not detected (Nd) to 65.1 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in riparian samples, respectively, and ranged from Nd to 705 ng/g dw and Nd to 187 ng/g lw in aquatic samples, respectively. Concentrations of MeHg were significantly correlated with δ13C (p < 0.01) rather than δ15N (p > 0.05) values in riparian organisms, while a significant correlation was observed between concentrations of MeHg and δ15N (p < 0.01) in aquatic organisms. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) and trophic magnification factors (TMFs) of PBDE congeners were similar in riparian and aquatic food webs, while BMFs and TMFs of MeHg were much higher in aquatic food web than those in riparian food web. The results indicate the biotransport of MeHg from aquatic insects to terrestrial birds, and δ13C can be a promising ecological indicator for biotransport of pollutants across ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Laiguo Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Air Pollution Control, South China Institute of Environmental Science, MEE, Guangzhou, 510655, PR China
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xingpei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaobo Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Ronghua Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jia'en Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xiaojun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Bixian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou, 510640, China
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49
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Lancaster ST, Peniche G, Alzahrani A, Blanz M, Newton J, Taggart MA, Corns WT, Krupp EM, Feldmann J. Mercury speciation in Scottish raptors reveals high proportions of inorganic mercury in Scottish golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos): Potential occurrence of mercury selenide nanoparticles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 829:154557. [PMID: 35302012 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the uptake and fate of mercury (Hg) compounds in biota is important in understanding the global cycling of Hg and its transfer pathways through food chains. In this study, we analysed total mercury (T-Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in 117 livers of Scottish birds of prey that were found across Scotland and submitted for post-mortem examination through the Raptor Health Scotland project between 2009 and 2019. Statistical comparisons focussed on six species (barn owl, Tyto alba; Eurasian common buzzard, Buteo buteo; golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos; hen harrier, Circus cyaneus; Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus; and tawny owl, Strix aluco) and showed that golden eagles had a statistically lower fraction of MeHg compared to other raptor species. Further investigation using stable carbon and stable nitrogen isotope ratio measurements carried out for the golden eagles (n = 15) indicated that the increased presence of inorganic mercury (iHg) correlated with a marine influence on the primarily terrestrial diet. Additional bioimaging (n = 1) with laser ablation - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry indicated the co-location of Hg and selenium (Se) within the liver tissue and transmission electron microscopy showed evidence of nanoparticles within the range of 10-20 nm. Further analysis using single particle - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (n = 4) confirmed the presence of Hg nanoparticles. Together, the evidence suggests the presence of mercury selenide (HgSe) nanoparticles in the liver of some golden eagles that, to our knowledge, has never been directly observed in terrestrial birds of prey. This study points to two alternative hypotheses: these golden eagles may be efficient at breaking down MeHg and form HgSe nanoparticles as a detoxification mechanism (as previously observed in cetaceans), or some golden eagles with elevated iHg may have accumulated these nanoparticles by foraging on stranded cetaceans or seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun T Lancaster
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory Aberdeen (TESLA), Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK; PS Analytical, Crayfields Industrial Estate, Main Road, Orpington, Kent BR5 3HP, UK; Department of General, Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Chair of General and Analytical Chemistry, Montanuniversität Leoben, Franz Josef-Strasse 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria.
| | - Gabriela Peniche
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Ali Alzahrani
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory Aberdeen (TESLA), Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Magdalena Blanz
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory Aberdeen (TESLA), Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK; Archaeology Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands, Orkney College UHI, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1LX, Scotland, UK
| | - Jason Newton
- National Environmental Isotope Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC), East Kilbride, G75 0QF, UK
| | - Mark A Taggart
- The Environmental Research Institute (ERI), University of Highlands and Islands, Castle St, Thurso KW14 7JD, UK
| | - Warren T Corns
- PS Analytical, Crayfields Industrial Estate, Main Road, Orpington, Kent BR5 3HP, UK
| | - Eva M Krupp
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory Aberdeen (TESLA), Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory Aberdeen (TESLA), Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK; TESLA - Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
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50
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Li ML, Kwon SY, Poulin BA, Tsui MTK, Motta LC, Cho M. Internal Dynamics and Metabolism of Mercury in Biota: A Review of Insights from Mercury Stable Isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:9182-9195. [PMID: 35723432 PMCID: PMC9261262 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring mercury (Hg) levels in biota is considered an important objective for the effectiveness evaluation of the Minamata Convention. While many studies have characterized Hg levels in organisms at multiple spatiotemporal scales, concentration analyses alone often cannot provide sufficient information on the Hg exposure sources and internal processes occurring within biota. Here, we review the decadal scientific progress of using Hg isotopes to understand internal processes that modify the speciation, transport, and fate of Hg within biota. Mercury stable isotopes have emerged as a powerful tool for assessing Hg sources and biogeochemical processes in natural environments. A better understanding of the tissue location and internal mechanisms leading to Hg isotope change is key to assessing its use for biomonitoring. We synthesize the current understanding and uncertainties of internal processes leading to Hg isotope fractionation in a variety of biota, in a sequence of better to less studied organisms (i.e., birds, marine mammals, humans, fish, plankton, and invertebrates). This review discusses the opportunities and challenges of using certain forms of biota for Hg source monitoring and the need to further elucidate the physiological mechanisms that control the accumulation, distribution, and toxicity of Hg in biota by coupling new techniques with Hg stable isotopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Ling Li
- School
of Marine Science and Policy, University
of Delaware, 201 Robinson Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division
of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro,
Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
- Institute
for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, 85 Songdogwahak-Ro, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon 21983, South Korea
| | - Brett A. Poulin
- Department
of Environmental Toxicology, University
of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- School
of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Laura C. Motta
- Department
of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, 359 Natural Sciences Complex, Buffalo, New York 14260-3000, United States
| | - Moonkyoung Cho
- Division
of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro,
Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
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