bioaccumulation of mercury and the effects on wildlife
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Bioaccumulation of Mercury and the effects on Wildlife. By: Adam Ware. Levels i n prey and piscivorous fish Bioaccumulation in birds What does this mean for the top of the food chain?. Levels in prey fish. Canadian study, eh? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Bioaccumulation of Mercury and the effects on WildlifeBy: Adam Ware
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•Levels in prey and piscivorous fish
•Bioaccumulation in birds
•What does this mean for the top of the food chain?
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Levels in prey fish•Canadian study, eh?
•Country-wide undertaking focusing on Hg levels in the Yellow Perch
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Why Yellow Perch?•Common prey for piscivores•Very tolerant of pH, temperature, and
dissolved O2
•Specimens around 12cm in length were selected for study
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The Pinnacle of the Gilled Piscivores
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Findings
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How do you measure Mercury levels?
•Two common ways:
▫Old, expensive method – Gas Spectrometer
▫New, efficient, and cheaper way – Nano-velcro!
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Obligate Piscivore
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Loons and other birds at risk, not just water-dwelling birds!•Blood levels (Loons)
▫Concentrations of Hg in adults ranged from 0.12 to 7.80 μg/g (parts per million)
▫Levels in offspring <6 weeks of age ranged from 0.03 to 0.78 μg/g
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Mercury accumulated in Feathers•Relatively large amount built up in
feathers.•Even with yearly molting, levels are
rising.
Say what?!
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Song birds are sensitive too!•Blood levels above only 0.7 ppm – 10%
reduction in hatchability•> 1.7 ppm – over 30% decrease
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Hg’s Effects at the higher trophic levels•Reproductive impairment
▫Birds have trouble hitting certain notes•Reduced hatchability in water and land-
based birds.•Deformation of fetus during early
development period.
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Questions?