1
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Sinclair CA, Garcia TS, Eagles-Smith CA. A Meta-Analysis of Mercury Biomagnification in Freshwater Predatory Invertebrates: Community Diversity and Dietary Exposure Drive Variability. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39392791 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c05920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2024]
Abstract
Accurate estimates of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure are valuable to actionably assess risk and protect wildlife and human health. MeHg trophic transfer is a critical driver of risk: MeHg is generally biomagnified by a factor of 8.3 ± 7.5 from one trophic level to the next, averaged across freshwater communities (mean ± standard deviation). This variability can produce disparate risks even where basal MeHg concentrations are similar. Taxonomy may be one driver of this variability: physiologically diverse groups, like vertebrates and invertebrates, may assimilate MeHg differently. To determine whether taxonomy affects trophic transfer efficiency, we conducted a meta-analysis characterizing predatory invertebrate MeHg biomagnification. Our analyses estimated that freshwater predatory invertebrates biomagnify MeHg by factors of 2.1 ± 0.2 to 4.3 ± 0.3, with a 98.9 ± 0.4% posterior probability that factors are below 5 (mean ± standard error). When vertebrates or primary producers were included, a site's trophic magnification factor was 18.6 ± 6.2 to 54.1 ± 7.7% higher than estimates for invertebrates alone. Biomagnification was inversely correlated to prey MeHg concentration and varied among systematic and functional groups. These data suggest that predatory invertebrates biomagnify MeHg less efficiently than vertebrates and that a community's diversity and structure determine its biomagnification efficiency. Incorporating organismal variation in trophic transfer estimates may improve the assessment, communication, and management of MeHg risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cailin A Sinclair
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Tiffany S Garcia
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Corvallis, Oregon 97330, United States
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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; 58. [PMID: 39012137 PMCID: PMC11295128 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [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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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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4
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Aldous AR, Tear T, Fernandez LE. The global challenge of reducing mercury contamination from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM): evaluating solutions using generic theories of change. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 33:506-517. [PMID: 38430424 PMCID: PMC11213725 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-024-02741-3] [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: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Mercury contamination from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) currently accounts for 37% of the global total, often affecting tropical regions where regulations, if they exist, are often poorly enforced. Ingestion by people and other animals damages the nervous, reproductive, and cognitive systems. Despite the efforts of many organizations and governments to curb mercury releases from ASGM, it is increasing globally. There are many possible interventions, all with significant complexity and cost. Therefore, we recommend taking an established systematic approach to articulate the current situation and construct theories of change (ToC) for different possible interventions for any government or organization trying to solve this problem. Here we present a high-level situation analysis and generic ToC to support a more coordinated approach that explicitly builds upon previous experience to identify organization- and situation-appropriate engagement on this issue. We then illustrate the use of these generic models to construct a specific ToC with a policy-focused entry point. This includes interventions through (1) engagement with the global Minamata Convention on Mercury; (2) support for existing national laws and policies connected to ASGM and mercury contamination; and (3) engagement of indigenous people and local communities with governments to meet the governments' legal obligations. By methodically articulating assumptions about interventions, connections among actions, and desired outcomes, it is possible to create a more effective approach that will encourage more coordination and cooperation among governments and other practitioners to maximize their investments and support broad environmental and socio-political outcomes necessary to address this pernicious problem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim Tear
- Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Luis E Fernandez
- Sabin Center for Environment and Sustainability, and Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, USA
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Perú
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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5
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Pagano JJ, Garner AJ, Hopke PK, Pagano JK, Gawley WG, Holsen TM. Atmospheric Concentrations and Potential Sources of Dioxin-Like Contaminants to Acadia National Park. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124287. [PMID: 38823547 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Acadia National Park (ANP) is located on Mt. Desert Island, ME on the U.S. Atlantic coast. ANP is routinely a top-ten most popular National Park with over four million visits in 2022. The overall contribution and negative effects of long-range atmospheric transport and local sources of dioxin-like contaminants endangering natural and wildlife resources is unknown. Dioxin-like (DL) contaminants polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (∑PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (∑PCDF), non-ortho coplanar PCBs (∑CP4), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (∑PCNs) were measured at the McFarland Hill air monitoring station (44.37⁰N, 68.26⁰W). On a mass/volume basis, total PCNs averaged 90.9 % (788 fg/m3) of DL contaminants measured annually, with 92.9 % of the collected total in the vapor-phase. Alternatively, total dioxin/furans (∑PCDD/Fs) represented 71.6 % of the total toxic equivalence (∑TEQ) (1.018 fg-TEQ/m3), with 69.7 % in the particulate-phase. Maximum concentrations measured for individual sampling events for ∑PCDD/F, ∑CP4, and ∑PCN were 159 (winter), 139 (summer), and 2100 (autumn), fg/m3 respectively. Whereas the maximum ∑TEQ concentrations for individual sampling events for ∑PCDD/F, ∑CP4, and ∑PCN were 2.8 (autumn), 0.38 (summer), and 0.71 (autumn), fg-TEQ/m3 respectively. Pearson correlations were calculated for ∑PCDD/Fs and ∑PCN particulate/vapor-phase air concentrations and PM2.5 wood smoke "indicator" species. The most significant correlations were observed in autumn for particulate-phase ∑PCDD/Fs suggesting a relationship between visitation-generated combustion sources (campfires and/or waste burning) or climate-change mediated forest fires. Significant Clausius-Clapeyron (C-C) correlations observed for particulate-phase ∑PCDDs (r2=0.567) as ambient temperatures decreased suggests a connection between localized domestic heating sources or visitor-based burning of wood/trash resources. Alternatively, highly significant C-C vapor-phase ∑CP4-PCBs correlations (r2=0.815) implies that the majority of ∑CP4-PCB loading to ANP is from long-range atmospheric transport processes. Based on these findings, Acadia National Park should be classified as a remote site with minor depositional impacts from ∑PCDD/Fs, ∑CP4-PCBs, and ∑PCN atmospheric transport or local diffuse sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Pagano
- Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699.
| | - Andrew J Garner
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, VA 22042
| | - Philip K Hopke
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642; Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699
| | | | - William G Gawley
- Acadia National Park, National Park Service, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
| | - Thomas M Holsen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699
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6
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Grajal-Puche A, Driver EM, Propper CR. Review: Abandoned mines as a resource or liability for wildlife. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 921:171017. [PMID: 38369145 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171017] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Abandoned Mine Lands (AMLs) are areas where previous mineral extraction or processing has occurred. Hundreds of thousands of AMLs exist within the United States. Contaminated runoff from AMLs can negatively affect the physiology and ecology of surrounding terrestrial and aquatic habitats and species and can be detrimental to human health. As a response, several U.S. federal and state agencies have launched programs to assess health risks associated with AMLs. In some cases, however, AMLs may be beneficial to specific wildlife taxa. There is a relative paucity of studies investigating the physiological and ecological impacts of AMLs on wildlife. We conducted a systematic review examining published scientific articles that assessed the negative and positive impacts of AMLs across invertebrate and vertebrate taxa. We also offer suggestions on evaluating AMLs to develop effective mitigation strategies that reduce their negative tole on human and wildlife communities. Peer-reviewed publications were screened across WebofScience, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Abandoned mine lands were generally detrimental to wildlife, with adverse effects ranging from bioaccumulation of heavy metals to decreased ecological fitness. Conversely, AMLs were an overall benefit to imperiled bat populations and could serve as tools for conservation. Studies were unevenly distributed across different wildlife taxa groups, echoing the necessity for additional taxonomically diverse research. We suggest that standardized wildlife survey methods be used to assess how different species utilize AMLs. Federal and state agencies can use these surveys to establish effective remediation plans for individual AML sites and minimize the risks to both wildlife and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Grajal-Puche
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States of America
| | - Erin M Driver
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America
| | - Catherine R Propper
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States of America.
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7
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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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8
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Willacker J, Eagles-Smith CA, Chandler JA, Naymik J, Myers R, Krabbenhoft DP. Reservoir Stratification Modulates the Influence of Impoundments on Fish Mercury Concentrations along an Arid Land River System. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:21313-21326. [PMID: 38051342 PMCID: PMC10734268 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04646] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Impoundment is among the most common hydrologic alterations with impacts on aquatic ecosystems that can include effects on mercury (Hg) cycling. However, landscape-scale differences in Hg bioaccumulation between reservoirs and other habitats are not well characterized nor are the processes driving these differences. We examined total Hg (THg) concentrations of Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) collected from reservoir, tailrace, and free-flowing reaches along an 863 km segment of the Snake River, USA, a semiarid river with 22 impoundments along its course. Across three size-classes (putative 1-year-old, first reproductive, and harvestable sized fish), THg concentrations in reservoirs and tailraces averaged 76% higher than those in free-flowing segments. Among reservoirs, THg concentrations were highest in reservoirs with inconsistent stratification patterns, 47% higher than annually stratified, and 144% higher than unstratified reservoirs. Fish THg concentrations in tailraces immediately downstream of stratified reservoirs were higher than those below unstratified (38-130%) or inconsistently stratified (32-79%) reservoirs. Stratification regimes influenced the exceedance of fish and human health benchmarks, with 52-80% of fish from stratifying reservoirs and downstream tailraces exceeding a human consumption benchmark, compared to 6-17% where stratification did not occur. These findings suggest that impoundment and stratification play important roles in determining the patterns of Hg exposure risk across the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- James
J. Willacker
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Collin A. Eagles-Smith
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - James A. Chandler
- Idaho
Power Company, 1221 West Idaho Street, Boise, Idaho 83702, United States
| | - Jesse Naymik
- Idaho
Power Company, 1221 West Idaho Street, Boise, Idaho 83702, United States
| | - Ralph Myers
- Idaho
Power Company, 1221 West Idaho Street, Boise, Idaho 83702, United States
| | - David P. Krabbenhoft
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
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9
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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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10
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Libunao TE, Kolok AS. Investigating the Allometric Relationship for Total Mercury in Male and Female Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) from Three Regions in the Columbia River Basin, USA. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 111:21. [PMID: 37563478 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-023-03780-y] [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: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between clawless body mass (CBM) and total mercury concentration (THg) in male and female crayfish captured from three different sites in the Columbia River Basin: the Spokane River, Boise River and Hangman Creek. It was found that the allometric relationships for THg in male and female crayfish did not differ from one another at any of the three locations (Spokane River: ANCOVA, F1,49 = 0.001, p = 0.63; Hangman Creek: ANCOVA, F1,73 = 0.007, p = 0.93; Boise River: ANCOVA, F1,38 = 0.02, p = 0.88. Furthermore, the slopes of the CBM and THg regression lines were not significantly different from one site to the next (ANCOVA, F2,166 = 1.5 p = 0.24), despite considerable differences in mean mass-adjusted THg across locations (Spokane River: 26.8 ± 2.6; Hangman Creek: 75.2 ± 2.1; Boise River: 99.0 ± 2.9). For signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) from the Columbia River Basin, size and sex standardization can be accomplished with a single linear relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tate E Libunao
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Alan S Kolok
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
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11
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Chen CY, Evers DC. Global mercury impact synthesis: Processes in the Southern Hemisphere. AMBIO 2023; 52:827-832. [PMID: 36917434 PMCID: PMC10073386 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01842-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Celia Y. Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - David C. Evers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, ME USA
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12
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Tate MT, Janssen SE, Lepak RF, Flucke L, Krabbenhoft DP. National-Scale Assessment of Total Gaseous Mercury Isotopes Across the United States. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. ATMOSPHERES : JGR 2023; 128:1-15. [PMID: 37593527 PMCID: PMC10430761 DOI: 10.1029/2022jd038276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
With the 2011 promulgation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the successful negotiation by the United Nations Environment Program of the Minamata Convention, emissions of mercury (Hg) have declined in the United States. While the declines in atmospheric Hg concentrations in North America are encouraging, linking the declines to changing domestic and global source portfolios remains challenging. To address these research gaps, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated the first national-scale effort to establish a baseline of total gaseous mercury stable isotope values at 31 sites distributed across the United States. Results indicated that unique Hg sources, such as Hg evasion from an elemental Hg contaminated site or free tropospheric intrusions in high altitude sites, were distinguishable from background atmospheric values. Minor gradients were observed across the nation, with regions of heavy industrial activity demonstrating lower δ 202 Hg , but no consistent changes in other isotopes such as Δ 199 Hg and Δ 200 Hg were observed. Furthermore, δ 202 Hg was impacted by foliar uptake and senescence but trends varied between forested regions in the northeastern and midwestern United States. These data demonstrate regional emission sources and other environmental variables can impact total gaseous Hg (TGM) isotope values, highlighting the need to characterize atmospheric Hg isotopes over larger geographical areas to evaluate changes related to national and international Hg regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Tate
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sarah E Janssen
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ryan F Lepak
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Laura Flucke
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Wisconsin, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Madison, WI, USA
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13
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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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14
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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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15
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Chumchal MM, Beaubien GB, Drenner RW, Hannappel MP, Mills MA, Olson CI, Otter RR, Todd AC, Walters DM. Use of Riparian Spiders as Sentinels of Persistent and Bioavailable Chemical Contaminants in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:499-514. [PMID: 35113469 PMCID: PMC9703374 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems around the world are contaminated with a wide range of anthropogenic chemicals, including metals and organic pollutants, that originate from point and nonpoint sources. Many of these chemical contaminants have complex environmental cycles, are persistent and bioavailable, can be incorporated into aquatic food webs, and pose a threat to the health of wildlife and humans. Identifying appropriate sentinels that reflect bioavailability is critical to assessing and managing aquatic ecosystems impacted by contaminants. The objective of the present study is to review research on riparian spiders as sentinels of persistent and bioavailable chemical contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Our review of the literature on riparian spiders as sentinels suggests that significant progress has been made during the last two decades of research. We identified 55 published studies conducted around the world in which riparian spiders (primarily of the families Tetragnathidae, Araneidae, Lycosidae, and Pisauridae) were used as sentinels of chemical contamination of lotic, lentic, and estuarine systems. For several contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Hg, and Se, it is now clear that riparian spiders are appropriate sentinels. However, many contaminants and factors that could impact chemical concentrations in riparian spiders have not been well characterized. Further study of riparian spiders and their potential role as sentinels is critical because it would allow for development of national-scale programs that utilize riparian spiders as sentinels to monitor chemical contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. A riparian spider sentinel program in the United States would be complementary to existing national sentinel programs, including those for fish and immature dragonflies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:499-514. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gale B. Beaubien
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ray W. Drenner
- Biology Department, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | | | - Marc A. Mills
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Connor I. Olson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Ryan R. Otter
- Department of Biology, Molecular Bioscience, Data Science Institute, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
| | - Andrew C. Todd
- Biology Department, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - David M. Walters
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
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16
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Malcata Martins B, O'Driscoll NJ, Mallory ML, Canário J. A Review of Freshwater Invertebrates as Biomonitors of Methylmercury: the Importance of More Complete Physical and Chemical Reporting. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 107:801-808. [PMID: 34081149 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03274-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic and bioaccumulative organo-metallic compound that is naturally produced in many ecosystems. Organisms that occupy the lower trophic positions in food webs may be key factors in the assessment of MeHg biomagnification between ecosystems. Here we present a review of the peer-reviewed literature examining MeHg bioaccumulation in freshwater invertebrates, focused principally on insects. This review aims to characterize the invertebrates that bioaccumulate higher MeHg concentrations and therefore pose a higher risk to upper trophic levels and to clarify which ecosystems are more susceptible to bioaccumulation in lower trophic levels. However, we found that few studies provided robust environmental data (notably water chemistry) as part of their papers, dramatically limiting our ability to test for factors that might contribute to different concentrations of MeHg in invertebrates. We highlight the importance of providing physical and chemical characteristics of study sites in publications examining MeHg bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Adopting the proposed recommendations will improve the available information for future mercury risk assessment analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Malcata Martins
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Nelson J O'Driscoll
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, K.C. Irving Environmental Science Center, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - João Canário
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
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17
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Gerson JR, Dorman R, Eagles-Smith C, Bernhardt ES, Walters D. Lethal impacts of selenium counterbalance the potential reduction in mercury bioaccumulation for freshwater organisms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 287:117293. [PMID: 34030024 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), a potent neurotoxic element, can biomagnify through food webs once converted into methylmercury (MeHg). Some studies have found that selenium (Se) exposure may reduce MeHg bioaccumulation and toxicity, though this pattern is not universal. Se itself can also be toxic at elevated levels. We experimentally manipulated the relative concentrations of dietary MeHg and Se (as selenomethionine [SeMet]) for an aquatic grazer (the mayfly, Neocloeon triangulifer) and its food source (diatoms). Under low MeHg treatment (0.2 ng/L), diatoms exhibited a quadratic pattern, with decreasing diatom MeHg concentration up to 2.0 μg Se/L and increasing MeHg accumulation at higher SeMet concentrations. Under high MeHg treatment (2 ng/L), SeMet concentrations had no effect on diatom MeHg concentrations. Mayfly MeHg concentrations and biomagnification factors (concentration of MeHg in mayflies: concentration of MeHg in diatoms) declined with SeMet addition only in the high MeHg treatment. Mayfly MeHg biomagnification factors decreased from 5.3 to 3.3 in the high MeHg treatment, while the biomagnification factor was constant with an average of 4.9 in the low MeHg treatment. The benefit of reduced MeHg biomagnification was offset by non-lethal effects and high mortality associated with 'protective' levels of SeMet exposure. Mayfly larvae escape behavior (i.e., startle response) was greatly reduced at early exposure days. Larvae took nearly twice as long to metamorphose to adults at high Se concentrations. The minimum number of days to mayfly emergence did not differ by SeMet exposure, with an average of 13 days. We measured an LC50SeMet for mayflies of 3.9 μg Se/L, with complete mortality at concentrations ≥6.0 μg Se/L. High reproductive mortality occurred at elevated SeMet exposures, with only 0-18% emergence at ≥4.12 μg Se/L. Collectively, our results suggest that while there is some evidence that Se can reduce MeHg accumulation at the base of the food web at specific exposure levels of SeMet and MeHg, Se is also toxic to mayflies and could lead to negative effects that extend across ecosystem boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Dorman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Collin Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA
| | | | - David Walters
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
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18
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Aristizabal-Henao JJ, Brown HJ, Griffin EK, Ostfeld RS, Oggenfuss K, Parker BM, Wisely SM, Bowden JA. Ticks as novel sentinels to monitor environmental levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1301-1307. [PMID: 34369533 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00209k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent, ubiquitous pollutants. It is important to continuously monitor the presence of PFAS contamination, utilizing both legacy and new sentinels. In this study, environmental PFAS levels were evaluated using ticks as a sentinel model due to their world-wide distribution, hematophagous nature, and ease of collection and sampling. Hematophagy in discrete blood meals, from a suite of vertebrates, allows ticks to sample dozens of species of consumers and bioaccumulation across communities. Four different species of ticks, across two states (NY, n = 28 in mid-April of 2020 and FL, n = 32 between 2015 and 2020) with two sampling sites in each state were analyzed for the presence of 53 PFAS. The total PFAS concentration in ticks was the lowest at Newburgh (NY), a site that has been undergoing remediation efforts, while the highest total PFAS concentrations were measured in ticks at the Sweetwater site, a wastewater treatment wetland. Detection of PFAS and the potential for variation between tick species and between locations are necessary to establish the utility of ticks as sentinels, in addition to assessing additional environmental factors, such as other wildlife, water, or soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Aristizabal-Henao
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department, of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Hannah J Brown
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department, of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Emily K Griffin
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department, of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | | | | | - Brandon M Parker
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Samantha M Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department, of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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19
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Wu G, Tang S, Han J, Li C, Liu L, Xu X, Xu Z, Chen Z, Wang Y, Qiu G. Distributions of Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Dragonflies from a Large, Abandoned Mercury Mining Region in China. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 81:25-35. [PMID: 34027570 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-021-00854-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Dragonflies (Order Odonata) often are considered to be biosentinels of environmental contamination, e.g., heavy metals and/or persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Dragonflies (n = 439) belonging to 15 species of 8 genera were collected from an abandoned mercury (Hg) mining region in China to investigate the bioaccumulation of total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg). THg and MeHg concentrations in dragonflies varied widely within ranges of 0.06-19 mg/kg (average: 1.5 ± 2.2 mg/kg) and 0.02-5.7 mg/kg (average: 0.75 ± 0.65 mg/kg), respectively. THg and MeHg were positively correlated with bodyweight (THg: r2 = 0.10, P = 0.000; MeHg: r2 = 0.09, P = 0.000). Significant variations were observed among species, with the highest MeHg value (in Orthetrum triangulare) was fivefold higher than the lowest (in Pantala flavescens). These variations were consistent with those of nitrogen isotope (δ15N) values, indicating that increased δ15N, i.e., trophic levels, may reflect increased exposure and uptake of biomagnifying MeHg in dragonflies. A toxicological risk assessment found hazard quotients for specialist dragonfly-consuming birds of up to 7.2, which is 2.4 times greater than the permissible limit of 3, suggesting a potential toxicological risk of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoen Wu
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003 , China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Shunlin Tang
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454003 , China.
| | - Jialiang Han
- 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
| | - Chan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Lin Liu
- 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
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Yajie Wang
- College of Food Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Hannappel MP, Chumchal MM, Drenner RW, Kennedy J, Barst BD, Castellini JM. Mud Dauber Nests as Sources of Spiders in Mercury Monitoring Studies. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1335-1340. [PMID: 33465251 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4983] [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: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Identifying ecosystems where biota may be contaminated with hazardous levels of methylmercury (MeHg) is a challenge. One widely used approach for determining site-specific MeHg contamination is to monitor MeHg contamination in sentinel species. Terrestrial shoreline spiders that consume emergent aquatic insects (e.g., midges and mayflies) have been proposed as sentinels of MeHg contamination of aquatic ecosystems. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a novel sampling technique, collection of spiders from nests of mud dauber wasps (Sphecidae), would be an efficient method for capturing MeHg-contaminated shoreline spiders for use as sentinels in ecological risk assessments. Mud dauber nests were collected near the Clear Fork of the Trinity River in Fort Worth, Texas (USA) on 3 dates from 4 human-made structures. Nests contained 627 unconsumed spiders from 5 families: Araneidae, Salticidae, Thomisidae, Oxyopidae, and Theridiidae. Methylmercury concentrations ranged from 12.2 to 56.3 ng/g wet weight in Thomisidae and Araenidae, respectively. Methylmercury concentrations of the spiders were generally low relative to risk thresholds for adult birds, but a few families of spiders could pose a risk to nestlings. Although mud dauber nests have been recognized as a source of spiders for biodiversity studies, the present study is the first to demonstrate the potential use of spiders collected from mud dauber nests for ecotoxicology studies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1335-1340. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew M Chumchal
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Ray W Drenner
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Jim Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Benjamin D Barst
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - J Margaret Castellini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
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Hannappel MP, Chumchal MM, Drenner RW, Kennedy JH, Barst BD, Castellini JM, Nolan AR, Willoughby FM, Trauffler LP. Effect of Body Size on Methylmercury Concentrations in Shoreline Spiders: Implications for Their Use as Sentinels. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1149-1154. [PMID: 33315274 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Shoreline spiders have been proposed as sentinels to monitor aquatic contaminants including methylmercury (MeHg). The present study examined the effect of spider body size on MeHg concentrations in shoreline spiders. We collected 6 taxa of spiders belonging to 4 families (orb-weavers [Araneidae], long-jawed orb weavers [Tetragnathidae: Tetragnatha sp.], jumping spiders [Salticidae], and wolf spiders [Lycosidae: Pardosa sp., Rabidosa sp., and Schizocosa sp.]) from the shorelines of 14 human-made ponds at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands in north Texas (USA). As a proxy for body size, we measured leg length (tibia + patella) of each spider. Spider taxa differed by 3-fold in mean MeHg concentration, and MeHg concentrations in 4 of 6 spider taxa increased significantly with leg length. The present study is the first to demonstrate that shoreline spider MeHg concentrations increase as a function of spider body size. Because spider size may account for some within-taxa variation in MeHg concentrations, future studies that utilize spiders as sentinels of aquatic contamination by MeHg or other biomagnifying contaminants should take spider size into account. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1149-1154. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew M Chumchal
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Ray W Drenner
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - James H Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Benjamin D Barst
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - J Margaret Castellini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Audrey R Nolan
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | | | - Lexton P Trauffler
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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Chagas TQ, Araújo APDC, Malafaia G. Biomicroplastics versus conventional microplastics: An insight on the toxicity of these polymers in dragonfly larvae. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 761:143231. [PMID: 33138995 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The toxicological safety of products developed as alternative for conventional plastics (i.e., petroleum derivatives) inevitably demands conducting (eco)toxicological studies. Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the biochemical toxicity of polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) (representative of conventional MPs) and polylactic acid biomicroplastics (PLA BioMPs) in Aphylla williamsoni larvae used as experimental models. Animals subjected to short exposure to both pollutants (48 h), at environmentally relevant concentration (6 mg/L). At the end of the experiment, different toxicity biomarkers were evaluated. To assess the possible impact of pollutants on the nutritional status of the animals, the total protein, total soluble carbohydrate and triglyceride levels were determined. However, we did not observe differences between the groups, which suggests that PE MPs and PLA BioMPs did not affect the animals' energy metabolism, inducing them to a nutritional deficit. However, larvae exposed to PLA BioMPs have shown increased nitrite and lipid peroxidation levels, which supports the hypothesis that these pollutants increase oxidative stress processes in the animals evaluated, which can affect the animals' physiological homeostasis from different changes. In addition, the decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and of total thiols levels, in these same animals, is suggestive of the impact of PLA BioMPs on the antioxidant defenses, causing a REDOX imbalance, never before reported. On the other hand, decreased AChE activity was only observed in larvae exposed to PLA BioMPs, which demonstrates the anticholinergic activity of the tested polymers; the consequences of which include changes in different neurophysiological functions. Thus, the current study has helped improving the scientific knowledge about impacts caused by PLA BioMPs on freshwater ecosystems, as well as corroborated assertions about the risks posed by such biopolymers on these environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thales Quintão Chagas
- Biological Research Laboratory, Post-graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute - Urutaí Campus Urutaí, GO, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Biological Research Laboratory, Post-graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute - Urutaí Campus Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Goiano Federal Institute and Federal University of Goiás, GO, Brazil.
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Montalvão MF, Guimarães ATB, Rodrigues ASDL, Malafaia G. Carbon nanofibers are bioaccumulated in Aphylla williamsoni (Odonata) larvae and cause REDOX imbalance and changes of acetylcholinesterase activity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 756:143991. [PMID: 33302068 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-based materials have been considered very promising for the technological industry due to their unique physical and chemical properties, namely: ability to reduce production costs and to improve the efficiency of several products. However, there is little information on what is the level of exposure that leads to adverse effects and what kind of effects is expected in aquatic biota. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in dragonfly larvae (Aphylla williamsoni) based on predictive oxidative-stress biomarkers, antioxidant activity reduction and neurotoxicity. After ephemeral models' exposure to CNFs (48 h; at 500 μg/L), data have shown that these pollutants did not change larvae's nutritional status given the concentration of total soluble carbohydrates, total proteins and triglycerides in them. However, the levels of both nitric oxide and substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid (lipid peroxidation indicators) have increased and the antioxidant activity based on total thiol levels and on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (%) has reduced, and it suggests REDOX imbalance induction by CNFs. In addition, larvae exposed to these pollutants showed significant acetylcholinesterase activity reduction in comparison to the control group. Thus, the present study has brought further knowledge about how carbon-based materials can affect benthic macroinvertebrates and emphasized their ecotoxicological potential in freshwater environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Flores Montalvão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Abraão Tiago Batista Guimarães
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação de Recursos Naturais do Cerrado, Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí, GO, Brazil
| | - Aline Sueli de Lima Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação de Recursos Naturais do Cerrado, Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí, GO, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação de Recursos Naturais do Cerrado, Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia e Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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