Mercury levels in Bonaparte's gulls (Larus Philadelphia) during autumn molt in the Quoddy region, New Brunswick, Canada

Braune, Birgit M.; Gaskin, D. E.

doi:10.1007/bf01055810

Cited by 234 publications

(198 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Heavy metals in the feathers represent circulating concentrations in the blood during the few weeks of feather formation, which in turn represents both local exposure and mobilization from internal tissues (Monteiro 1996). Once the feather matures, the vascular connection atrophies, leaving the feather as a record of blood levels at the time of its formation, and the concentration of metals in a feather remains constant (Braune and Gaskin 1987). Most of the seabirds in the Aleutians are resident, remaining in Aleutians throughout the year, although they may wander from island to island (Kenyon 1961).…”

Section: Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium in feathers in bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and comparison with common eider (Somateria mollissima), glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens), pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba), and tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) from the Aleutian Chain of Alaska

Burger

Gochfeld

2008

Environ Monit Assess

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Comparison of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium in feathers in bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and comparison with common eider (Somateria mollissima), glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens), pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba), and tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) from the Aleutian Chain of Alaska AbstractThere is an abundance of field data for levels of metals from a range of places, but relatively few from the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. In this paper we examine the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium in feathers from common eiders (Somateria mollissima), glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens), pigeon guillemots (Cepphus columba), tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from the Aleutian Chain of Alaska. Our primary objective was to test the hypothesis that there are no trophic levels relationships for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium among these five species of birds breeding in the marine environment of the Aleutians. There were significant interspecific differences in all metal levels. As predicted bald eagles had the highest levels of arsenic, chromium, lead, and manganese, but puffins had the highest levels of selenium, and pigeon guillemot had higher levels of mercury than eagles (although the differences were not significant). Common eiders, at the lowest trophic level had the lowest levels of some metals (chromium, mercury and selenium). However, eiders had higher levels than all other species (except eagles) for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and manganese. Levels of lead were higher in breast than in wing feathers of bald eagles. Except for lead, there were no significant differences in metal levels in feathers of bald eagles nesting on Adak and Amchitka Island; lead was higher on Adak than Amchitka. Eagle chicks tended to have lower levels of manganese than older eagles.

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Section: Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium in feathers in bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and comparison with common eider (Somateria mollissima), glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens), pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba), and tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) from the Aleutian Chain of Alaska

Burger

Gochfeld

2008

Environ Monit Assess

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“…Although most studies indicate differences in Hg levels between male and female birds are not significant (Burger, 1993;Burger, 1995;Gochfeld et al, 1996), there are exceptions (Hoffman and Curnow, 1979;Braune and Gaskin, 1987;Donaldson and Braune, 1999). When there are differences in Hg levels between sexes they can be dictated by (1) depuration of Hg in eggs, (2) sexual dimorphism, and (3) niche partitioning of the forage base.…”

Section: Gender Affects Hg Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns and Interpretation of Mercury Exposure in Freshwater Avian Communities in Northeastern North America

et al. 2005

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Abstract. A large data set of over 4,700 records of avian mercury (Hg) levels in northeastern North America was compiled and evaluated. As Hg emissions remain poorly regulated in the United States and Canada, atmospheric deposition patterns and associated ecological responses continue to elicit interest by landscape managers, conservation biologists, policy makers, and the general public. How avian Hg exposure is interpreted greatly influences decision-making practices. The geographic extent and size of this data set is valuable in understanding the factors that affect the exposure of Hg to birds. Featured are differences found among tissues, major aquatic habitats and geographic areas, between age class and gender, and among species. While Hg concentrations in egg and blood reflect short-term Hg exposure, Hg concentrations in liver and feather provide insight into long-term Hg exposure. Blood is a particularly important matrix for relating site-specific exposure to methylmercury (MeHg). The level of MeHg is generally 5-10x greater in adults compared to nestlings. Age also influences MeHg bioaccumulation, particularly for individuals where MeHg intake exceeds elimination. Gender is of interpretive concern when evaluating Hg exposure for species exhibiting sexual dimorphism and niche partitioning. Based on two indicator species, the belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), we found MeHg availability increased from marine, to estuarine and riverine systems, and was greatest in lake habitats. A large sample of >1,800 blood and egg Hg levels from the common loon (Gavia immer) facilitated a suitable comparison of geographic differences. Although some clusters of highly elevated Hg exposure (i.e., blood levels >3.0 lg/g, ww and egg levels >1.3 lg/g, ww) were associated with hydrological and biogeochemical factors known to increase MeHg production and availability, others were not. Geographic areas without a relationship between Hg exposure and biogeochemical processes were associated with emission or waterborne point sources. Differences in Hg exposure among species are primarily correlated with trophic position and availability of MeHg. Although piscivorous species were repeatedly *To whom correspondence should be addressed: Tel.: 207-839-7600; Fax: 207-839-7655; E-mail: david.evers@briloon.org Ecotoxicology, 14, 193-221, 2005 Ó 2005 shown to have some of the highest MeHg levels of the 38 species analyzed, insectivorous birds in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats (such as montane areas) were also found with elevated MeHg levels. A better understanding of the factors confounding interpretation of Hg exposure provides an effective basis for choice of indicator species and tissues according to 12 selected scenarios. This and the national need for spatiotemporal monitoring of MeHg availability require careful consideration of indicator species choice. Only then will local, regional, continental, and even global monitoring efforts be effective.

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“…Resale of full artjcle not permitted pleted (Furness et al 1986, Honda et al 1986, Braune & Gaskin 1987.…”

Section: Inter-research 2000mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During moult, levels in body tissues fall as mercury accumulated during the intermoult period is excreted into the growing feathers (Braune & Gaskin 1987), where it is chemically and physically stable (Appelquist et al 1984). Feathers grown at the beginning of moult tend to have the highest mercury concentrations, with those grown later showing a gradual decline according to moult sequence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Feathers are particularly attractive a s monitoring units as they are the main route by which birds void mercury from the body (Braune & Gaskin 1987). During moult, levels in body tissues fall as mercury accumulated during the intermoult period is excreted into the growing feathers (Braune & Gaskin 1987), where it is chemically and physically stable (Appelquist et al 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variability in mercury concentrations of great skuas Catharacta skua:the influence of colony, diet and trophic status inferred from stable isotope signatures

Bearhop¹,

Phillips²,

Thompson³

et al. 2000

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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A range of parameters thought to contribute to intra-specific variation in mercury levels were investigated using the feathers and blood of adult great skuas Catharacta skua from 2 northeast Atlantic colonies as sampling units. Different feather types and blood were taken to represent intake over different temporal scales Mercury concentrations and stable isotope signatures of these tissues were determined. General linear models demonstrated that trophic status, as indicated by FI5N, had an influence on tissue mercury concentrations. However this effect was relatively minor compared to that of foraging area. Samples of the same feather types from the same individuals in consecutive years suggest that a factor other than dietary specialisation and foraging area is of major importance in determining intra-specific variability in mercury levels. It was concluded that there are a number of interacting factors contributing to intra-specific variability in mercury levels and the relative importance of these factors varies both spatially and temporally.

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Mercury levels in Bonaparte's gulls (Larus Philadelphia) during autumn molt in the Quoddy region, New Brunswick, Canada

Cited by 234 publications

References 25 publications

Patterns and Interpretation of Mercury Exposure in Freshwater Avian Communities in Northeastern North America

Variability in mercury concentrations of great skuas Catharacta skua:the influence of colony, diet and trophic status inferred from stable isotope signatures

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