Mercury bioaccumulation in relation to changing physicochemical and ecological factors across a large and undisturbed boreal watershed

Lescord, Gretchen L.; Johnston, Thomas A.; Branfireun, Brian A.; Gunn, John M.

doi:10.1139/cjfas-2018-0465

Cited by 17 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 170 publications

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“…Furthermore, there is greater coverage of wetlands in the Caddy Lake watershed, which has also been linked to increased levels of mercury methylation (Hurley et al 1995; Rypel 2010; Selvendiran et al 2008). Big Whiteshell Lake appears to be more biologically productive than Caddy Lake, which is associated with lower food web mercury concentrations via dilution across greater biomass quantities (Lescord et al 2019; Rypel 2010). Black crappie in Big Whiteshell Lake have a higher observed growth rate than Caddy Lake, which is also linked to lower fish mercury levels (Borgmann & Whittle 1991; Hauger 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury contamination of an introduced generalist fish of intermediate trophic level

Gedig

Hauger

Armstrong

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Mercury contamination is a global issue because mercury concentrations in aquatic systems are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic pathways, including the burning of fossil fuels and flooding during hydroelectric development. Mercury biomagnifies in aquatic ecosystems, leading to higher concentrations in piscivore fishes than those at lower trophic levels. Here, liver and muscle total mercury (THg) concentrations in black crappiePomoxis nigromaculatusfrom three lakes in southeastern Manitoba, Canada were related to age, morphology and physiological traits to better understand the dynamics of mercury accumulation in an introduced generalist fish species. Black crappie liver and muscle samples from Big Whiteshell Lake (relatively large lake, 17.5 km2; n=30), Caddy Lake (small lake surrounded by wetlands, 3.1 km2; n=42) and Lac du Bonnet (river widening influenced by hydroelectric dams, 84.0 km2; n=29) were analyzed for THg content. These THg concentrations were then compared to black crappie mercury concentrations in other Canadian water bodies to assess within species relative contamination levels, as well as to mercury concentrations in other freshwater fishes to examine biomagnification. Age and size had strong positive correlations (r≥0.60) with muscle mercury concentrations. No evidence of acute point source contamination was found in the study area when compared to black crappie muscle mercury concentrations in other water bodies, and tissue THg concentration was not correlated with a reduction in gonadosomatic index (GSI) or hepatosomatic index (HSI). Analysis of liver THg in addition to muscle THg revealed the possible impacts of seasonal and ontogenetic differences in diet on exposure. Furthermore, THg analysis of liver and muscle tissue showed how generalist foraging techniques of black crappie may curb the progressively greater mercury exposure and resultant physiological consequences expected from ontogenetic diet shifts from invertebrates to fishes. Although there appeared to be temporally varied levels of mercury exposure (i.e., liver THg) by sex, there was no sex effect observed in long-term accumulation in the muscle. Flood risk is believed to be a key driver of differences in black crappie THg concentrations between lakes in the region. Black crappie bioaccumulated less mercury at age than primary piscivore species in the region. These results will help foster a better understanding of mercury biomagnification in boreal shield lakes within a region impacted by legacy mercury.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury contamination of an introduced generalist fish of intermediate trophic level

Gedig

Hauger

Armstrong

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…To assess which parameters affect brook trout [THg] (standardized to 30‐cm fork length) among invaded and reference lakes, we ran a series of regression models and performed Akaike information criteria (AIC) model averaging using the R package AICmodavg (Mazerolle 2017) as per Grueber et al (2011) and Lescord et al (2019). A total of 7 models were run, one with an intercept and either lake status (i.e., invaded or reference), [DOC], FCL, trophic position, δ 13 C, or TMS as predictor variables (all normalized), as well as a null model with only an intercept term.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Non‐native Fish on Lacustrine Food Web Structure and Mercury Biomagnification along a Dissolved Organic Carbon Gradient

Barst

Hudelson

Lescord

et al. 2020

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Although the introduction of non-native fish species has been shown to alter trophic ecology in aquatic ecosystems, there has been limited research on how invasive species alter methylmercury (MeHg) biomagnification in lacustrine food webs. We sampled surface water and biota from 8 lakes in Quebec, Canada, spanning a range of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations (2.9-8.4 mg/L); 4 lakes were inhabited by native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and the remaining lakes contained brook trout and a non-native fish, Allegheny pearl dace (Margariscus margarita). Periphyton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fish were analyzed for: 1) stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope ratios to delineate food webs, and 2) total Hg (THg) or MeHg. Compared with the brook trout from reference lakes, fish from invaded lakes had higher length-standardized THg concentrations as well as a narrower dietary range and elevated trophic level, inferred from unadjusted δ 13 C and δ 15 N values, respectively. The rate of Hg biomagnification was similar across invaded and reference lakes, implying little effect of the invasive fish on the trophic transfer of MeHg. Despite differences in food web structure due to pearl dace invasion, DOC was the strongest predictor of brook trout THg levels for all lakes, suggesting that underlying environmental factors exerted a stronger influence on brook trout THg concentrations than the presence of a nonnative forage fish.

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“…Complexation of Cr and Hg with nitrogen species are not commonly found in the natural environment [46][47][48][49]. Although it has been found that Hg has higher concentration in systems with more nitrates and nitrites, suggesting an indirect relationship between Hg and nitrogen cycling [50]. Pb nitrate is found to bioaccumulate in some species of plants, fish, zooplankton, crayfish, and even snails [51][52][53][54][55].…”

Section: Relationship Among the Heavy Metals And Environmental Indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meycauayan, an Industrial City in Bulacan, Philippines: Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil and Surface Sediments and Their Relationship to Environmental Indicators

Diwa¹,

Deocaris²,

Orbecido³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The City of Meycauayan is considered as one of the most polluted cities in the developing world on the account of industrial discharges of toxic materials to the environment. This work investigated the sources of the heavy metal pollution by analyzing soil and sediment samples for heavy metals (Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb) together with selected environmental indicators (TN, TOM, and TP) located along the Meycauayan River. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal components analysis (PCA), and Pearson correlation analysis (CA) were used to identify the sources of the metals. Results showed delineated locations of severe levels of heavy metal pollution downstream because of the concentration of industrial activities. Cr contributed more than any other heavy metals analyzed due to proliferation of tanneries discharging untreated wastewaters to the river. Significant inputs of Pb and Hg from Pb-acid battery recycling and gold smelting industries were also found. Risk assessments indicated severe levels of heavy metal pollution where industrial activities are concentrated. The mean Cr, Pb, Ni, and Hg in the sampling locations have mean incidences of toxicity of 91.7 %, 53.6 %, 27.7 %, and 70.0 %, respectively. Our study showed a serious need to address heavy metal pollution in Meycauayan.

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Mercury bioaccumulation in relation to changing physicochemical and ecological factors across a large and undisturbed boreal watershed

Cited by 17 publications

References 170 publications

Mercury contamination of an introduced generalist fish of intermediate trophic level

Mercury contamination of an introduced generalist fish of intermediate trophic level

Effects of Non‐native Fish on Lacustrine Food Web Structure and Mercury Biomagnification along a Dissolved Organic Carbon Gradient

Meycauayan, an Industrial City in Bulacan, Philippines: Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil and Surface Sediments and Their Relationship to Environmental Indicators

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