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Mercury Bioaccumulation in Northern Two-lined Salamanders from Streams in the Northeastern United States

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Abstract

Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in salamanders has received little attention despite widespread Hg contamination of aquatic ecosystems and worldwide amphibian declines. Here we report concentrations of methyl Hg (MeHg) and total Hg in larval northern two-lined salamanders (Eurycea bislineata bislineata) collected from streams in Acadia National Park (ANP), Maine, and Bear Brook Watershed, Maine (BBWM; a paired, gauged watershed treated with bimonthly applications (25 kg/ha/yr) of ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4]) since 1989), and Shenandoah National Park (SNP), Virginia. MeHg comprised 73–97% of total Hg in the larval salamander composite samples from ANP. At BBWM we detected significantly higher total Hg levels in larvae from the (NH4)2SO4 treatment watershed. At ANP total Hg concentrations in salamander larvae were significantly higher from streams in unburned watersheds in contrast with larval samples collected from streams located in watersheds burned by the 1947 Bar Harbor fire. Additionally, total Hg levels were significantly higher in salamander larvae collected at ANP in contrast with SNP. Our results suggest that watershed-scale attributes including fire history, whole-catchment (NH4)2SO4 additions, wetland extent, and forest cover type influence mercury bioaccumulation in salamanders inhabiting lotic environments. We also discuss the use of this species as an indicator of Hg bioaccumulation in stream ecosystems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Ecology & Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, 04469, USA

    Michael S. Bank

  2. Harvard University, Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA, 01366, USA

    Michael S. Bank

  3. United States Geological Survey, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Orono, Maine, 04469, USA

    Cynthia S. Loftin

  4. United States Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, 20708, USA

    Robin E. Jung

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  1. Michael S. Bank
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  2. Cynthia S. Loftin
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  3. Robin E. Jung
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Correspondence to Michael S. Bank.

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Bank, M.S., Loftin, C.S. & Jung, R.E. Mercury Bioaccumulation in Northern Two-lined Salamanders from Streams in the Northeastern United States. Ecotoxicology 14, 181–191 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-004-6268-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-004-6268-8

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