62 Sources, Transport and Fate of Trace Elements and Organics in the Environment (Posters)

Tuesday, 21 March 2017
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Urban, 17th Floor

MERCURY BIOACCUMULATION IN SPOTTED SALAMANDERS IN SOUTHWEST OHIO

Paper number: 62-9
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a volatile element that is increasing in concentration in the environment as a result of anthropogenic emissions. Microorganisms, such as sulfate-reducing bacteria, can transform mercury into methylmercury (MeHg), which bioaccumulates, biomagnifies, and can cause toxicity to humans and wildlife. Most studies of MeHg bioaccumulation have focused on aquatic organisms due to consumption of fish being the primary route of human exposure to MeHg. However, organisms in terrestrial ecosystems are also exposed to MeHg that may impact ecosystem biodiversity, food-web dynamics, and overall ecosystem health. We are investigating bioaccumulation and maternal transfer of MeHg in spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) captured from two locations in southwest Ohio in 2016. Total length, weight, sex, and whole-body concentrations of MeHg and total Hg are being determined in 159 individual salamanders. Moreover, we are developing a non-destructive sampling method for spotted salamanders by comparing MeHg concentrations in whole bodies with those in the tip of the organisms’ tails, which can regenerate. The results of this research will show how MeHg bioaccumulation in spotted salamanders may vary by sex, organism size, and among locations in southwest Ohio, and provide information about an understudied link in the terrestrial-aquatic food web.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 2

doi: 10.1130/abs/2017NE-291035

© Copyright 2017 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.