Mercury exposure in breeding common loons (Gavia immer) in central Ontario, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Quebec (Canada). National Wildlife Research Centre
- BioDiversity, Inc., Yarmouth, ME (United States)
Total Hg concentrations were determined in blood and feather samples of breeding common loons (Gavia immer) and their chicks from 24 lakes in Ontario with a range of water chemistry and fish Hg concentrations. In paired comparisons, males had significantly higher blood and feather concentrations than their female mates. Sex differences in Hg concentrations were attributable to size differences between the two sexes and to the possible transfer of Hg to eggs by females during egg-laying. Significantly higher blood and feather Hg concentrations were found in adult loons compared to their chicks. Adult blood Hg concentrations were significantly correlated with those of their chicks. Adult blood concentrations averaged about 13 times those of corresponding chicks. Both adult and chick blood Hg concentrations were positively correlated with fish Hg concentrations, indicating that adult loons in central Ontario, like their chicks, probably feed mainly on their breeding lakes and reflect the fish Hg concentrations of those lakes. Three of 24 lakes had 20- to 50-g fish with Hg concentrations at or exceeding the critical concentration reported to cause reproductive impairment in loons. Monitoring Hg in blood (adult and chick) and feathers (chicks only) is useful for assessing the local bioavailability of methylmercury and the degree of current dietary Hg exposure in loons and other piscivorous birds.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 580752
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9604239-; ISSN 0730-7268; TRN: IM9807%%4
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 17, Issue 2; Conference: Wildlife Mercury Conference, Fairfax, VA (United States), 12-13 Apr 1996; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Measuring the effect of mercury exposure on common loon productivity in Wisconsin
Patterns of common loon (Gavia immer) mercury exposure, reproduction, and survival in Wisconsin, USA