The consumption of ice-derived resources is associated with higher mercury contamination in an Arctic seabird

Sea ice plays a fundamental role in Arctic marine environments, by driving primary productivity and sustaining ice-associated ecosystems. Simultaneously, sea ice influences the contamination of Arctic marine organisms, by modifying contaminant cycles or their bioavailability. Changes in sea ice cond...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental research 2023-12, Vol.238, p.117066-117066, Article 117066
Main Authors: Cusset, Fanny, Charrier, Julie, Massé, Guillaume, Mallory, Mark, Braune, Birgit, Provencher, Jennifer, Guillou, Gaël, Massicotte, Philippe, Fort, Jérôme
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brünnich's guillemot
Environmental Sciences
Highly Branched Isoprenoids
Sea ice
Sympagic food web
Thick-billed murre
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Summary:Sea ice plays a fundamental role in Arctic marine environments, by driving primary productivity and sustaining ice-associated ecosystems. Simultaneously, sea ice influences the contamination of Arctic marine organisms, by modifying contaminant cycles or their bioavailability. Changes in sea ice conditions could therefore profoundly impact the functioning of Arctic marine food webs and their contamination. Top predators such as seabirds, which are subject to bioaccumulation and biomagnification of contaminants, are particularly exposed. In this context, the present study aims to investigate the influence of sea ice and of the use of ice-derived resources on the contamination of seabirds by mercury (Hg). To this end, eggs of thick-billed murres (Brünnich's guillemots, Uria lomvia; n = 60) were collected on Prince Leopold Island (Canadian High Arctic) during four years of varying ice conditions (2010–2013). Trophic tracers (i.e., Highly Branched Isoprenoids, HBIs – an indicator of the use of ice-derived resources; carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes – indicators of foraging habitats and trophic status), as well as total Hg concentrations were quantified. Results showed that feeding on ice-derived resources (as indicated by HBI concentrations) was positively correlated to sea ice cover, and both positively influenced Hg concentrations in murre eggs. However, when testing for the best predictor with model selection, sea ice concentration only drove Hg contamination in murres. This work provides new insights into the role of sea ice and ice-derived resources in the contamination by Hg of Arctic wildlife. Further research is now needed to better understand the relationship between sea ice and Hg contamination in Arctic biota and its underlying mechanisms, but also to identify Hg sources in rapidly changing environmental conditions in the Arctic. [Display omitted] •Trophic biomarkers and total Hg concentrations were measured in thick-billed murres.•Egg Hg concentrations were higher during icier years.•Hg concentrations were higher when murres relied heavily on ice-derived resources.•Ice concentrations were the best predictor for egg Hg contamination.
ISSN:0013-9351
1096-0953
DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2023.117066