Changes in mercury exposure of marine birds breeding in the Gulf of Maine, 2008–2013. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stenhouse, Iain J.; Adams, Evan M.; Goyette, Jennifer L.; Regan, Kevin J.; Goodale, M. Wing; Evers, David C.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 128(2018)
• Page Start: 156
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Black Guillemot -- Common Eider -- Double-crested Cormorant -- Gulf of Maine -- Leach's Storm-Petrel -- Mercury; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.01.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Mercury is a potent contaminant that can disrupt an organism's behavior and physiology, ultimately affecting reproductive success. Over the last 100 years, environmental deposition of anthropogenic sourced mercury has increased globally, particularly in the U.S. Northeast region. Marine birds are considered effective bioindicators of ecosystem health, including persistent marine contaminants. Goodale et al. (2008) found that mercury exposure exceeded adverse effects levels in some marine bird species breeding across the Gulf of Maine. We re-examined mercury contamination in four species identified as effective bioindicators. Compared with the previous sampling effort, inshore-feeding species showed significant increases in mercury exposure, while one pelagic-feeding species remained stable. This suggests that a major shift may have occurred in methylmercury availability in inshore waters of the Gulf of Maine. Understanding environmental mercury trends in the Gulf of Maine, and its significance to marine birds and other taxa will require a dedicated, standardized, long-term monitoring scheme. Highlights: We assessed mercury bioaccumulation in marine birds breeding in the Gulf of Maine. Levels of Hg increased in inshore foraging species between 2008 and 2013. Hg remained consistent in an offshore foraging species. Understanding trends in Hg in the Gulf of Maine requires a standardized, long-term monitoring scheme.