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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. Sci Total Environ 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Clairbaux M, Mathewson P, Porter W, Fort J, Strøm H, Moe B, Fauchald P, Descamps S, Helgason HH, Bråthen VS, Merkel B, Anker-Nilssen T, Bringsvor IS, Chastel O, Christensen-Dalsgaard S, Danielsen J, Daunt F, Dehnhard N, Erikstad KE, Ezhov A, Gavrilo M, Krasnov Y, Langset M, Lorentsen SH, Newell M, Olsen B, Reiertsen TK, Systad GH, Thórarinsson TL, Baran M, Diamond T, Fayet AL, Fitzsimmons MG, Frederiksen M, Gilchrist HG, Guilford T, Huffeldt NP, Jessopp M, Johansen KL, Kouwenberg AL, Linnebjerg JF, Major HL, Tranquilla LM, Mallory M, Merkel FR, Montevecchi W, Mosbech A, Petersen A, Grémillet D. North Atlantic winter cyclones starve seabirds. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3964-3971.e3. [PMID: 34520704 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Each winter, the North Atlantic Ocean is the stage for numerous cyclones, the most severe ones leading to seabird mass-mortality events called "winter wrecks."1-3 During these, thousands of emaciated seabird carcasses are washed ashore along European and North American coasts. Winter cyclones can therefore shape seabird population dynamics4,5 by affecting survival rates as well as the body condition of surviving individuals and thus their future reproduction. However, most often the geographic origins of impacted seabirds and the causes of their deaths remain unclear.6 We performed the first ocean-basin scale assessment of cyclone exposure in a seabird community by coupling winter tracking data for ∼1,500 individuals of five key North Atlantic seabird species (Alle alle, Fratercula arctica, Uria aalge, Uria lomvia, and Rissa tridactyla) and cyclone locations. We then explored the energetic consequences of different cyclonic conditions using a mechanistic bioenergetics model7 and tested the hypothesis that cyclones dramatically increase seabird energy requirements. We demonstrated that cyclones of high intensity impacted birds from all studied species and breeding colonies during winter but especially those aggregating in the Labrador Sea, the Davis Strait, the surroundings of Iceland, and the Barents Sea. Our broad-scale analyses suggested that cyclonic conditions do not increase seabird energy requirements, implying that they die because of the unavailability of their prey and/or their inability to feed during cyclones. Our study provides essential information on seabird cyclone exposure in a context of marked cyclone regime changes due to global warming.8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Clairbaux
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France.
| | - Paul Mathewson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Warren Porter
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Hallvard Strøm
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, PO Box 6606 Langnes, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Børge Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Per Fauchald
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sebastien Descamps
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, PO Box 6606 Langnes, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Hálfdán H Helgason
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, PO Box 6606 Langnes, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Vegard S Bråthen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Benjamin Merkel
- Akvaplan-niva AS, Fram Centre, PO Box 6606 Langnes, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Tycho Anker-Nilssen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ingar S Bringsvor
- Norwegian Ornithological Society, Sandgata 30 B, 7012 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS/La Rochelle Univ, La Rochelle, France
| | | | - Jóhannis Danielsen
- Faroe Marine Research Institute, PO Box 3051, Nóatún 1, 110 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Francis Daunt
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Nina Dehnhard
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kjell Einar Erikstad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway; Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alexey Ezhov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, 17 Vladimirskaya Street, 183010 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Maria Gavrilo
- Association Maritime Heritage, Saint Petersburg, Russia; National Park Russian Arctic, 57 Sovetskikh Kosmonavtove Avenue, Archangelsk, Russia
| | - Yuri Krasnov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, 17 Vladimirskaya Street, 183010 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Magdalene Langset
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Svein-H Lorentsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mark Newell
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Bergur Olsen
- Faroe Marine Research Institute, PO Box 3051, Nóatún 1, 110 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Tone K Reiertsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Geir Helge Systad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Mark Baran
- Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Tony Diamond
- Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Annette L Fayet
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Michelle G Fitzsimmons
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 6 Bruce Street, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 4T3, Canada
| | - Morten Frederiksen
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Hugh G Gilchrist
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tim Guilford
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Nicholas P Huffeldt
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Mark Jessopp
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Field, North Mall, Cork, Ireland; MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Inst., Univ. College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kasper L Johansen
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Jannie F Linnebjerg
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Heather L Major
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 5050, Saint John, NB E2L 4L5, Canada
| | | | - Mark Mallory
- Biology, Acadia University, 15 University Avenue, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Flemming R Merkel
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - William Montevecchi
- Psychology and Biology Departments, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Anders Mosbech
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS/La Rochelle Univ, La Rochelle, France; Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa.
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3
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Clairbaux M, Cheung WWL, Mathewson P, Porter W, Courbin N, Fort J, Strøm H, Moe B, Fauchald P, Descamps S, Helgason H, Bråthen VS, Merkel B, Anker-Nilssen T, Bringsvor IS, Chastel O, Christensen-Dalsgaard S, Danielsen J, Daunt F, Dehnhard N, Erikstad KE, Ezhov A, Gavrilo M, Krasnov Y, Langset M, Lorentsen SH, Newell M, Olsen B, Reiertsen TK, Systad G, Þórarinsson ÞL, Baran M, Diamond T, Fayet AL, Fitzsimmons MG, Frederiksen M, Gilchrist GH, Guilford T, Huffeldt NP, Jessopp M, Johansen KL, Kouwenberg AL, Linnebjerg JF, McFarlane Tranquilla L, Mallory M, Merkel FR, Montevecchi W, Mosbech A, Petersen A, Grémillet D. Meeting Paris agreement objectives will temper seabird winter distribution shifts in the North Atlantic Ocean. Glob Chang Biol 2021; 27:1457-1469. [PMID: 33347684 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We explored the implications of reaching the Paris Agreement Objective of limiting global warming to <2°C for the future winter distribution of the North Atlantic seabird community. We predicted and quantified current and future winter habitats of five North Atlantic Ocean seabird species (Alle alle, Fratercula arctica, Uria aalge, Uria lomvia and Rissa tridactyla) using tracking data for ~1500 individuals through resource selection functions based on mechanistic modeling of seabird energy requirements, and a dynamic bioclimate envelope model of seabird prey. Future winter distributions were predicted to shift with climate change, especially when global warming exceed 2°C under a "no mitigation" scenario, modifying seabird wintering hotspots in the North Atlantic Ocean. Our findings suggest that meeting Paris agreement objectives will limit changes in seabird selected habitat location and size in the North Atlantic Ocean during the 21st century. We thereby provide key information for the design of adaptive marine-protected areas in a changing ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Clairbaux
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - William W L Cheung
- Changing Ocean Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul Mathewson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Warren Porter
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nicolas Courbin
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | | | - Børge Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Per Fauchald
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | - Vegard S Bråthen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-Univ. La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France
| | | | | | | | - Nina Dehnhard
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kjell-Einar Erikstad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alexeï Ezhov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, Murmansk, Russia
| | - Maria Gavrilo
- Association Maritime Heritage, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- National Park Russian Arctic, Archangelsk, Russia
| | - Yuri Krasnov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, Murmansk, Russia
| | | | | | - Mark Newell
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Penicuik, UK
| | - Bergur Olsen
- Faroe Marine Research Institute, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | | | - Geir Systad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research - NINA, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Mark Baran
- Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Tony Diamond
- Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | | | - Michelle G Fitzsimmons
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Mount Pearl, NL, Canada
| | | | - Grant H Gilchrist
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tim Guilford
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas P Huffeldt
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Mark Jessopp
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | - Mark Mallory
- Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada
| | | | - William Montevecchi
- Psychology and Biology Departments, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Anders Mosbech
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-Univ. La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France
- Percy Fitz Patrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
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4
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Albert C, Helgason HH, Brault-Favrou M, Robertson GJ, Descamps S, Amélineau F, Danielsen J, Dietz R, Elliott K, Erikstad KE, Eulaers I, Ezhov A, Fitzsimmons MG, Gavrilo M, Golubova E, Grémillet D, Hatch S, Huffeldt NP, Jakubas D, Kitaysky A, Kolbeinsson Y, Krasnov Y, Lorentsen SH, Lorentzen E, Mallory ML, Merkel B, Merkel FR, Montevecchi W, Mosbech A, Olsen B, Orben RA, Patterson A, Provencher J, Plumejeaud C, Pratte I, Reiertsen TK, Renner H, Rojek N, Romano M, Strøm H, Systad GH, Takahashi A, Thiebot JB, Thórarinsson TL, Will AP, Wojczulanis-Jakubas K, Bustamante P, Fort J. Seasonal variation of mercury contamination in Arctic seabirds: A pan-Arctic assessment. Sci Total Environ 2021; 750:142201. [PMID: 33182207 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a natural trace element found in high concentrations in top predators, including Arctic seabirds. Most current knowledge about Hg concentrations in Arctic seabirds relates to exposure during the summer breeding period when researchers can easily access seabirds at colonies. However, the few studies focused on winter have shown higher Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period than breeding period in several tissues. Hence, improving knowledge about Hg exposure during the non-breeding period is crucial to understanding the threats and risks encountered by these species year-round. We used feathers of nine migratory alcid species occurring at high latitudes to study bird Hg exposure during both the breeding and non-breeding periods. Overall, Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period were ~3 times higher than during the breeding period. In addition, spatial differences were apparent within and between the Atlantic and Pacific regions. While Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period were ~9 times and ~3 times higher than during the breeding period for the West and East Atlantic respectively, Hg concentrations in the Pacific during the non-breeding period were only ~1.7 times higher than during the breeding period. In addition, individual Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period for most of the seabird colonies were above 5 μg g-1 dry weight (dw), which is considered to be the threshold at which deleterious effects are observed, suggesting that some breeding populations might be vulnerable to non-breeding Hg exposure. Since wintering area locations, and migration routes may influence seasonal Hg concentrations, it is crucial to improve our knowledge about spatial ecotoxicology to fully understand the risks associated with Hg contamination in Arctic seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Albert
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France.
| | - Hálfdán Helgi Helgason
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Gregory J Robertson
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment Climate Change Canada, 6 Bruce Street, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 4T3, Canada
| | - Sébastien Descamps
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Françoise Amélineau
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Jóhannis Danielsen
- The Faroese Marine Research Institute, Nóatún 1, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Rune Dietz
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Kyle Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Kjell Einar Erikstad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, PO Box 6606, Langnes, NO-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Alexey Ezhov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, 17 Vladimirskaya street, 183010 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Michelle G Fitzsimmons
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment Climate Change Canada, 6 Bruce Street, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 4T3, Canada
| | - Maria Gavrilo
- Association Maritime Heritage, RU - 199106, Icebreaker "Krassin", The Lieutenant Schmidt emb., 23 Line, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; National Park Russian Arctic, RU-168000, Sovetskikh kosmonavtov ave., 57, Archangelsk, Russia
| | - Elena Golubova
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Institute of Biological Problems of the North, RU-685000 Magadan, Portovaya Str., 18, Russia
| | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France; FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, UCT, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372-CNRS, La Rochelle Université, France
| | - Scott Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, Anchorage 99516-3185, AK, USA
| | - Nicholas P Huffeldt
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Biology, Dept. of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Wita Stwosza 59, PL-80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alexander Kitaysky
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Yann Kolbeinsson
- Northeast Iceland Nature Research Centre, Hafnarstétt 3, 640 Húsavík, Iceland
| | - Yuri Krasnov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, 17 Vladimirskaya street, 183010 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Svein-Håkon Lorentsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Høgskoleringen 9, NO-7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erlend Lorentzen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville B4P 2R6, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Benjamin Merkel
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Flemming Ravn Merkel
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - William Montevecchi
- Psychology Department, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland A1M 2Y8, Canada
| | - Anders Mosbech
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bergur Olsen
- The Faroese Marine Research Institute, Nóatún 1, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Rachael A Orben
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - Allison Patterson
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Jennifer Provencher
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Place Vincent Massey, 351 St. Joseph Blvd, Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Christine Plumejeaud
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Isabeau Pratte
- Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville B4P 2R6, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Tone Kristin Reiertsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, PO Box 6606, Langnes, NO-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Heather Renner
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - 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
| | - Hallvard Strøm
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Geir Helge Systad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Thormøhlensgate 55, N0-5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Jean-Baptiste Thiebot
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | | | - Alexis P Will
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Biology, Dept. of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Wita Stwosza 59, PL-80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France.
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