Influence of in ovo mercury exposure, lake acidity, and other factors on common loon egg and chick quality in Wisconsin
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Abstract
A field study was conducted in Wisconsin (USA) to characterize in ovo mercury (Hg) exposure in common loons (Gavia immer). Total Hg mass fractions ranged from 0.17 mg/g to 1.23mg/g wet weight in eggs collected from nests on lakes representing a wide range of pH (5.0–8.1) and were modeled as a function of maternal loon Hg exposure and egg laying order. Blood total Hg mass fractions in a sample of loon chicks ranged from 0.84ug/g to 3.86 ug/g wet weight at hatch. Factors other than mercury exposure that may have persistent consequences on development of chicks from eggs collected on low-pH lakes (i.e., egg selenium, calcium, and fatty acid mass fractions) do not seem to be contributing to reported differences in loon chick quality as a function of lake pH. However, it was observed that adult male loons holding territories on neutral-pH lakes were larger on average than those occupying territories on low-pH lakes. Differences in adult body size of common loons holding territories on neutral-versus low-pH lakes may have genetic implications for differences in lake-source-related quality (i.e., size) in chicks. The tendency for high in ovo Hg exposure and smaller adult male size to co-occur in low-pH lakes complicates the interpretation of the relative contributions of each to resulting chick quality.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Influence of in ovo mercury exposure, lake acidity, and other factors on common loon egg and chick quality in Wisconsin |
| Series title | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| DOI | 10.1002/etc.3001 |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Year Published | 2015 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 1870 |
| Last page | 1880 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Iron County, Lincoln County, Price County, Oneida County, Vilas County |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |