Ibanez, A.E. et al. (2022) Variation in blood mercury concentrations in brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) is related to trophic ecology but not breeding success or adult body condition. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 181, 113919. (doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113919) (PMID:35816822)
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Abstract
Mercury is a pervasive environmental contaminant that can negatively impact seabirds. Here, we measure total mercury (THg) concentrations in red blood cells (RBCs) from breeding brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) (n = 49) at Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. The aims of this study were to: (i) analyse RBCs THg concentrations in relation to sex, year and stable isotope values of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N); and (ii) examine correlations between THg, body condition and breeding success. RBC THg concentrations were positively correlated with δ15N, which is a proxy of trophic position, and hence likely reflects the biomagnification process. Levels of Hg contamination differed between our study years, which is likely related to changes in diet and distribution. RBC THg concentrations were not related to body condition or breeding success, suggesting that Hg contamination is currently not a major conservation concern for this population.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | The authors are grateful to the Dirección Nacional del Antártico (DNA) and Instituto Antártico Argentino (IAA) for the support of the field-work activities and logistics in the Antarctic. Thanks to CONICET and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT) for the financial support of this project (PIP- CONICET no. 0158 to DM; PICT-2014–3323 to AEI). Stable isotope analyses were funded by the Natural Environmental Isotope Facility (grant no. 2325.0920). The authors are grateful to Maud Brault-Favrou for her assistance with Hg analyses. Thanks are also due to the CPER (Contrat de Projet Etat-Région) and the FEDER (Fonds Européen de Développement Régional) for funding the AMA of LIENSs laboratory. The Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) is acknowledged for its support to P. Bustamante as a Senior Member. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | McGill, Dr Rona |
| Authors: | Ibanez, A.E., Mills, W.F., Bustamante, P., McGill, R. A.R., Morales, L.M., Palacio, F.X., Torres, D.S., Haidr, N.S., Mariano-Jelicich, R., Phillips, R.A., and Montalti, D. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre |
| Journal Name: | Marine Pollution Bulletin |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0025-326X |
| ISSN (Online): | 1879-3363 |
| Published Online: | 08 July 2022 |
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