Contamination of Mercury during the Wintering Period Influences Concentrations at Breeding Sites in Two Migratory Piscivorous Birds

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• 作者：Raphael A. Lavoie ; Christopher J. Baird ; Laura E. King ; T. Kurt Kyser ; Vicki L. Friesen ; Linda M. Campbell
• 刊名：Environmental Science & Technology
• 出版年：2014
• 出版时间：December 2, 2014
• 年：2014
• 卷：48
• 期：23
• 页码：13694-13702
• 全文大小：433K
• ISSN：1520-5851

文摘

Many aquatic fish-eating birds migrate long distances and are exposed to different mercury concentrations ([Hg]) during their annual cycle. Here we examined the importance of migration on [Hg] in two colonial migratory fish-eating bird species. We determined temporal trends of [Hg] and stable isotopes of carbon (未¹³C) and nitrogen (未¹⁵N) during the annual cycle in Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) and Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) breeding in Lake Ontario by a repeated sampling of breast feathers and blood from recaptured individuals. We found an effect of previous winter [Hg], species, sex, and location to explain variations of Hg at breeding sites. This suggests Hg carryover from winter to summer periods and that variations of [Hg] in the summer are partially explained by [Hg] in the winter. Carryover of Hg among seasons and slow changes in [Hg] over time were found especially for individuals in high winter exposure groups, suggesting a slow depuration rate and a fast uptake rate for both species. In contrast, stable isotope values rapidly switched to reach equilibrium at a similar midpoint regardless of winter habitat or diet suggesting minimal carryover of isotopic signatures. The potential of Hg carryover from wintering sites indicates that Hg concentrations in birds at a given time may be influenced by previous exposure from distant locations.