Variation in blood mercury concentrations in brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) is related to trophic ecology but not breeding success or adult body condition

Ibañez, A.E.; Mills, William F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7170-5794; Bustamante, P.; McGill, R.A.R.; Morales, L.M.; Palacio, F.X.; Torres, D.S.; Haidr, N.S.; Mariano-Jelicich, R.; Phillips, Richard A.; Montalti, D.. 2022 Variation in blood mercury concentrations in brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) is related to trophic ecology but not breeding success or adult body condition. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 181, 113919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113919

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113919

Abstract/Summary

Mercury is a pervasive environmental contaminant that can negatively impact seabirds. Here, we measure total mercury (THg) concentrations in red blood cells (RBCs) from breeding brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) (n = 49) at Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. The aims of this study were to: (i) analyse RBCs THg concentrations in relation to sex, year and stable isotope values of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N); and (ii) examine correlations between THg, body condition and breeding success. RBC THg concentrations were positively correlated with δ15N, which is a proxy of trophic position, and hence likely reflects the biomagnification process. Levels of Hg contamination differed between our study years, which is likely related to changes in diet and distribution. RBC THg concentrations were not related to body condition or breeding success, suggesting that Hg contamination is currently not a major conservation concern for this population.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113919
ISSN:	0025326X
Additional Keywords:	Antarctica, Pollution, Reproduction, Seabirds, Stable isotopes, Top predator
Date made live:	20 Jul 2022 07:03 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/532949

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113919

ISSN:

0025326X

Additional Keywords:

Antarctica, Pollution, Reproduction, Seabirds, Stable isotopes, Top predator

Date made live:

20 Jul 2022 07:03 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/532949