The Influence of Trophic Level as Measured by δ 15N on Mercury Concentrations in Freshwater Organisms

Kidd, Karen A.; Hesslein, Raymond H.; Fudge, R. J. P.; Hallard, K. A.

doi:10.1007/978-94-011-0153-0_110

Cited by 40 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The relationship between log [THg] and δ15N, i.e., TMS, was consistent with earlier studies (Fry and Chumchal 2012;Kidd et al 1995). As mentioned previously, we had expected that the biological communities to be structured by salinity gradients along the estuarine axis (Bulger et al, 1993;Ley et al 1999;Green et al 2006).…”

Section: Trophic Magnification Slopessupporting

confidence: 79%

Mercury biomagnification through food webs along a salinity gradient down-estuary from a biological hotspot

Rumbold¹,

Lange²,

Richards³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Abstract:To examine down-estuary effects and how differences in food webs along a salinity gradient might influence mercury (Hg) biomagnification, we conducted a study from [2010][2011][2012][2013][2014][2015] in an estuary with a known biological hotspot at its headwaters. Over 907 samples of biota, representing 92 different taxa of fish and invertebrates, seston and sediments were collected from the upper, middle and lower reach for Hg determination and for stable nitrogen and carbon isotope analyses. Trophic magnification slopes (TMS; log Hg versus δ15N), as a measure of biomagnification efficiency, ranged from 0.23 to 0.241 but did not differ statistically among reaches. Hg concentrations were consistently highest, ranging as high as 4.9 mg/kg in top predatory fish, in the upper-reach of the estuary where basal Hg entering the food web was also highest, as evidenced by methylmercury concentrations in suspension feeders. Top predatory fish at the mouth of the estuary contained relatively low [THg], likely due to lower basal Hg. This was nonetheless surprising given the potential for down-estuary biotransport.

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Section: Trophic Magnification Slopessupporting

confidence: 79%

Mercury biomagnification through food webs along a salinity gradient down-estuary from a biological hotspot

Rumbold¹,

Lange²,

Richards³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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“…A vast number of studies have shown that the majority of Hg in fish muscle is in the methylated form (Lasorsa & Allen 1994, Wagemann et al 1997, but the percentage of MeHg in fishes is also highly dependent on the trophic status of the fishes (Kidd et al 1995, Mason et al 2000. We are not aware of any previous experimental studies attempting to separate the relative importance of both species of Hg to the overall Hg bioaccumulation in marine fish.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…It thus appears that the importance of dietary ingestion is strongly related to the type of prey ingested and the feeding rate of the individual fish. In a recent study, dietary MeHg decreased the reproduction of adult fathead minnows at a dietary concentration encountered by predatory fishes in aqueous systems (Hammerschmidt et al 2002).A vast number of studies have shown that the majority of Hg in fish muscle is in the methylated form (Lasorsa & Allen 1994, Wagemann et al 1997, but the percentage of MeHg in fishes is also highly dependent on the trophic status of the fishes (Kidd et al 1995, Mason et al 2000. We are not aware of any previous experimental studies attempting to separate the relative importance of both species of Hg to the overall Hg bioaccumulation in marine fish.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioaccumulation kinetics and exposure pathways of inorganic mercury and methylmercury in a marine fish, the sweetlips Plectorhinchus gibbosus

Wang¹,

Wong²

2003

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

142

111

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We experimentally determined the assimilation efficiency (AE) of ingested prey, the uptake-rate constant from the aqueous phase, and elimination-rate constant of both inorganic Hg (Hg [II]) and methylmercury (MeHg) in a marine predatory fish, the sweetlips Plectorhinchus gibbosus, using radiotracer techniques. The AE of Hg(II) and MeHg ranged between 10 and 27% and between 56 and 95%, respectively, for 3 different prey (copepods, silverside, and brine shrimp). The ingestion rate of the fish did not significantly affect the AE of Hg(II). Uptake of both species of Hg proceeded in a linear pattern, and the calculated uptake-rate constant was 0.195 and 4.515 l g -1 d -1 for Hg(II) and MeHg, respectively. Most of the accumulated Hg(II) was distributed in muscle tissues, whereas the accumulated MeHg was distributed evenly between gills and muscle tissues. The calculated elimination-rate constants for MeHg were 0.0103 and 0.0129 d -1 following dietary and aqueous uptake, respectively, whereas the elimination-rate constant of Hg(II) following dietary uptake (0.0547 d -1 ) was 1.9 times higher than the elimination following aqueous uptake (0.0287 d -1 ). These experimentally determined values were incorporated into a kinetic model to predict the exposure pathways and the relative contribution of Hg(II) and MeHg to the sweetlips. At the high end of the bioconcentration factor for both species of Hg in the prey, dietary ingestion is likely to be the main channel for their accumulation in the fish. The relative contribution of Hg(II) vs MeHg to the overall Hg bioaccumulation is largely controlled by the relative concentration of MeHg dissolved in seawater. Similar to the results of numerous field studies, the kinetic model predicted a potential trophic transfer factor of < 0.6 for Hg(II) and >1 for MeHg under conditions likely to be experienced by the fish in its natural environment. KEY WORDS: Mercury · Methylmercury · Exposure · Fish · Kinetic modeling Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMar Ecol Prog Ser 261: [257][258][259][260][261][262][263][264][265][266][267][268] 2003 bioavailability of these Hg species in marine fishes are less well studied (Pentreath 1976a,b, Honda et al. 1978, Barkay et al. 1997, Rouleau et al. 1998.Most previous studies measured the concentration of different Hg species in different tissues of fishes (Leah et al. 1991, Monteiro et al. 1996, Joiris et al. 2000. The routes of Hg accumulation, including the relative importance of different Hg species (inorganic and organic) and exposure pathways (aqueous vs dietary),are not yet well understood. Whereas it has generally been assumed that fishes accumulate MeHg mainly from dietary sources through very efficient assimilation of this compound (Mason 2002), it is quite possible that, because of its highly efficient absorption properties, they accumulate it from the aqueous phase also. Experimental studies on the routes of methylmercury exposure in fishes are indeed rather controversial (Honda et...

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“…The use of δ 13 C and δ 15 N measurements is based on the assumption that the isotopic composition of an animal reflects that of its prey (reviewed by Gannes et al 1998, Kelly 2000. Stable isotope analysis has been used previously to provide a continuous variable with which to assess both trophic level (Michener & Schell 1994, Hobson et al 1995, Das et al 2003b) and transfer of contaminants (Kidd et al 1995, Das et al 2000, 2003a.…”

Section: Abstract: North Sea · Marine Mammals · Stable Isotopes · Hementioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological and pathological factors related to trace metal concentrations in harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena from the North Sea and adjacent areas

Das¹,

Siebert²,

Fontaine

et al. 2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The Influence of Trophic Level as Measured by δ 15N on Mercury Concentrations in Freshwater Organisms

Cited by 40 publications

References 14 publications

Mercury biomagnification through food webs along a salinity gradient down-estuary from a biological hotspot

Mercury biomagnification through food webs along a salinity gradient down-estuary from a biological hotspot

Bioaccumulation kinetics and exposure pathways of inorganic mercury and methylmercury in a marine fish, the sweetlips Plectorhinchus gibbosus

Ecological and pathological factors related to trace metal concentrations in harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena from the North Sea and adjacent areas

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