Bioaccumulation of mercury in yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and common loons (Gavia immer) in relation to lake chemistry in Atlantic Canada |
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Authors: | Neil M Burgess Keith A Hobson |
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Institution: | (1) Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, 6 Bruce St., Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1N 4T3, Canada;(2) Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, 115 Perimeter Rd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0X4, Canada |
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Abstract: | Mercury biomagnifies in aquatic foodwebs in freshwater lakes, and common loons (Gavia immer) breeding in eastern Canada can be exposed to reproductively toxic concentrations of mercury in their fish prey. We assessed
the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury in juvenile and adult common loons, and their preferred prey: yellow perch
(Perca flavescens) in Kejimkujik National Park (KNP), Nova Scotia by measuring mercury levels and stable isotope ratios in tissues. Total mercury
levels and stable-carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N) were determined in composite whole-fish samples from lakes in KNP and blood samples from juvenile and adult loons captured
on lakes in KNP and southern New Brunswick. Geometric mean mercury concentrations were 0.15 and 0.38 μg/g (wet wt.) in small
(9-cm fork length) and large (17-cm fork length) yellow perch, and were 0.43 and 2.7 μg/g (wet wt.) in blood of juvenile and
adult common loons, respectively. Mercury concentrations in perch and loons were positively associated with body mass and
δ15N values. Juvenile loons and large yellow perch had similar mercury levels and δ15N values, indicating similar trophic status despite their 22-fold difference in body mass. Mercury concentrations were higher
in yellow perch and common loons in acidic lakes. Our findings highlight the importance of both chemical and ecological factors
in understanding mercury biomagnification in lakes and associated risks to fish-eating wildlife.
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and accessible for authorised users. |
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Keywords: | yellow perch common loon mercury stable isotopes Gavia immer Perca flavescens |
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