Mercury in aquatic birds at Clay Lake, western Onatario. [Laurus argentatus; Mareca americana; Anas platyrhynchos; Anas discors; Bucephala clangula; Mergus merganser; Lophodytes cucullatus; Orconectes virilis]

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3799738· OSTI ID:5011138

Vermeer, K; Armstrong, F A.J.; Hatch, D R.M.

Total mercury levels ranging from 2 to 16 ppm in eggs did not appear to affect the hatching and fledging of herring gulls (Larus argentatus). Mercury levels in breast muscles of 5 American widgeons (Mareca americana), 16 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), 17 blue-winged teals (Anas discors), 21 common goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula), 17 common mergansers (Mergus merganser), and 7 hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) averaged 0.5, 6.1, 6.5, 7.8, 6.8, and 12.3 ppm respectively at Clay Lake 4-6 weeks prior to the hunting season in 1971. Methyl mercury in five ducks ranged from 69 to 99 percent of total mercury. Crayfish (Orconectes virilis) muscle contained the highest mercury levels of food items found in esophagi and stomachs of ducks; the high values in breast muscles of hooded mergansers are likely related to their feeding on crayfish.

• Research Organization: Canadian Wildlife Service, Edmonton, Alberta
• OSTI ID: 5011138
• Journal Information: J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States) Vol. 37:1; ISSN JWMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIRDS
CANADA
DATA
DUCKS
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOOD CHAINS
FOWL
INFORMATION
INJURIES
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
METHYLMERCURY
MUSCLES
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
ONTARIO
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
REPRODUCTION
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES