Relationships between lake chemistry and calcium and trace metal concentrations of aquatic invertebrates eaten by breeding insectivorous waterfowl

Common Loon, <em>Gavia immer</em>, Breeding Success in Relation to Lake pH and Lake Size Over 25 Years

“…Their levels in the Sudbury lakes as measured in 1981 and 1989 decreased drastically with distance from the smelters, reaching levels at 30 km (Keller et al 1992a) that were lower than the Ontario Ministry of the Environment objectives for the protection of aquatic life (Bill Keller, personal communication, 2008). Levels of copper (2-4 ug/L) and nickel (2-18 ug/L) in 20 of my Area 3 lakes with data were similarly low (McNicol et al 1996a), and the levels of lead, cadmium, copper, and nickel found in aquatic invertebrates in Area 3 (Scheuhammer et al 1997) were considerably lower than levels known to have toxic effects in their consumers. Metal emissions in Sudbury have been reduced by about 90% in recent decades (Keller et al 2007).…”

“…Blancher and McNicol (1991) suggested that swallow chicks might not have obtained enough calcium in their diets because of a reduction in prey that is normally rich in calcium (Scheuhammer et al 1997;Keller et al 2001). Another potential mechanism for reduced breeding success on lakes with low pH could involve the decrease in eggshell thickness (Pollentier et al 2007).…”

Structure of Macrozoobenthos of the East Dongting Nature Reserve, with Emphasis on Relationships with Environmental Variables

“…Ca-poor environments could be limiting for snail eggshell formation and skeletal growth in nestlings, and during the reproduction period, snails usually concentrate on Ca-high zones (Tipping et al 2002, Scheuhammer et al 1997, Graveland et al 1994, Schubauer-Berigan et al 1995. Compared to oligochaetes and insects, mollusks may be more acid-sensitive, since Ca concentration is negatively related to acidification (Scheuhammer et al 1997).…”

SERDP SEED Project (CS-1161) Final Report: Feasibility Study: Lab-on-a-chip and In Situ Bioassay Techniques for Rapid Resolution of Ion Signatures for Disturbances of Biological Significance in Streams

“…Finally, the survey also allowed us to identify several taxa in Fort Hood streams that could be suitable for use in in situ bioassays. These included taxa with high calcium requirements (e.g., snails), and taxa that have more "typical" calcium requirements (e.g., many insects) (Brown 1991;Scheuhammer et al 1997). These differences also are great enough to provide a useful working-range of physiological requirements for calcium.…”