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Bonisoli-Alquati A, Jackson AK, Eagles-Smith CA, Moyo S, Pérez-Umphrey AA, Polito MJ, Snider AM, Williams ST, Woltmann S, Stouffer PC, Taylor SS. Mercury concentrations in Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Rice Rats differ across the Mississippi River Estuary. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024:10.1007/s10646-024-02789-1. [PMID: 39048895 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-024-02789-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) concentrations and their associated toxicological effects in terrestrial ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico are largely unknown. Compounding this uncertainty, a large input of organic matter from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have altered Hg cycling and bioaccumulation dynamics. To test this idea, we quantified blood concentrations of total mercury (THg) in Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) and Marsh Rice Rats (Oryzomys palustris) in marshes west and east of the Mississippi River in 2015 and 2016. We also tested for a difference in THg concentrations between oiled and non-oiled sites. To address the potential confounding effect of diet variation on Hg transfer, we used stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotope values as proxies of trophic position and the source of primary production, respectively. Our results revealed that five to six years after the spill, THg concentrations were not higher in sites oiled by the spill compared to non-oiled sites. In both species, THg was higher at sites east of the Mississippi River compared to control and oiled sites, located west. In Seaside Sparrows but not in Marsh Rice Rats, THg increased with δ15N values, suggesting Hg trophic biomagnification. Overall, even in sites with the most elevated THg, concentrations were generally low. In Seaside Sparrows, THg concentrations were also lower than previously reported in this and other closely related passerines, with only 7% of tested birds exceeding the lowest observed effect concentration associated with toxic effects across bird species (0.2 µg/g ww). The factors associated with geographic heterogeneity in Hg exposure remain uncertain. Clarification could inform risk assessment and future restoration and management actions in a region facing vast anthropogenic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA.
| | - Allyson K Jackson
- Purchase College SUNY, Department of Environmental Studies, Purchase, NY, 10577, USA
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Sydney Moyo
- Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Anna A Pérez-Umphrey
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Michael J Polito
- Louisiana State University, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Allison M Snider
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - S Tyler Williams
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Stefan Woltmann
- Center of Excellence for Field Biology, and Department of Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, 37040, USA
| | - Philip C Stouffer
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Sabrina S Taylor
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
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Wigginton RD, Van Grootheest C, Spautz H, Grenier JL, Whitcraft CR. Stable isotope mixing models demonstrate the role of an invasive plant in wetland songbird food webs. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2022; 10:e11486. [PMID: 36034186 PMCID: PMC9400394 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Invasive plants in wetlands are often ecosystem engineers, mediating changes in ecosystem functions like trophic support. We documented the impacts of Lepidium latifolium, an invasive plant, on the food web of omnivorous birds (Suisun song sparrows, Melospiza melodia maxillaris) in a tidal wetland of northern California, USA. METHODS We used analysis of natural abundance stable isotopes of 13C and 15N in song sparrow blood, invertebrate food sources, L. latifolium seeds, and other marsh plant seeds to inform Bayesian, concentration-dependent mixing models that predicted average song sparrow diets. RESULTS Season and plant phenology influenced food source incorporation and isotopic signatures. Song sparrows showed higher isotopic variability in the summer. The observed changes in song sparrow diets were driven by altered invertebrate communities related to seasonal L. latifolium presence and by shifts from seeds to consumption of invertebrate food sources during the breeding season in the spring and summer. DISCUSSION This study used stable isotope tools and modeling to demonstrate two mechanisms of isotopic influence by L. latifolium on omnivorous song sparrows. This study can inform site- and species-specific management strategies by demonstrating how changes to the plant community can impact entire trophic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D. Wigginton
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State University, Long Beach1250 Bellflower Blvd., MS 9502Long BeachCalifornia90840USA
- Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Conservancy1450 Halyard Dr., Suite 6West SacramentoCalifornia95691USA
| | - Chloe Van Grootheest
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State University, Long Beach1250 Bellflower Blvd., MS 9502Long BeachCalifornia90840USA
| | - Hildie Spautz
- Department of Fish and WildlifeEcosystem Conservation DivisionP.O. Box 944209SacramentoCalifornia94244USA
| | - J. Letitia Grenier
- San Francisco Estuary Institute4911 Central Ave.RichmondCalifornia94804USA
| | - Christine R. Whitcraft
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State University, Long Beach1250 Bellflower Blvd., MS 9502Long BeachCalifornia90840USA
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Pérez‐Umphrey AA, Jonsson CB, Bonisoli‐Alquati A, Snider AM, Stouffer PC, Taylor SS. Sex and habitat drive hantavirus prevalence in marsh rice rat populations impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Pérez‐Umphrey
- School of Renewable Natural Resources Louisiana State University and AgCenter Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
| | - Colleen B. Jonsson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, University of Tennessee Memphis Tennessee USA
| | - Andrea Bonisoli‐Alquati
- School of Renewable Natural Resources Louisiana State University and AgCenter Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
- Department of Biological Sciences California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Pomona California USA
| | - Allison M. Snider
- School of Renewable Natural Resources Louisiana State University and AgCenter Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
| | - Philip C. Stouffer
- School of Renewable Natural Resources Louisiana State University and AgCenter Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
| | - Sabrina S. Taylor
- School of Renewable Natural Resources Louisiana State University and AgCenter Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
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