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Correspondence between mercury and stable isotopes in high Arctic marine and terrestrial avian species from northwest Greenland

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Abstract

Birds are useful bioindicators of environmental contamination around the globe, but avian studies in the high Arctic have been primarily limited to a few abundant species. This study was designed to assess mercury (Hg) concentrations in both abundant and less-abundant marine and terrestrial avian species on breeding grounds in northwest Greenland using blood sampling. Twenty-four migratory avian species (n = 625) were sampled over a three-year period (2010–2012) along 750 km of coastline near Thule Air Base (77° N, 68° W). Whole blood samples were analyzed for total Hg along with δ13C and δ15N to estimate food web position. A significant positive correlation was observed between mean Hg concentrations and trophic position, with adult mean Hg concentrations ranging from 11.4 to 1164 ng g−1 wet weight. Eleven species examined in this study had blood Hg concentrations suggestive of a low risk for Hg toxicity. Some Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia), and Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) individuals had concentrations of Hg suggestive of medium risk for Hg toxicity (Hg concentrations between 1000–3000 ng g−1 ww). Decreasing δ15N values in birds from the central study area suggest a nonuniform geographic pattern of increased freshwater influx and subsequent changes in prey availability, which correspond to lower avian Hg levels. This study provides strong evidence that marine and terrestrial feeding ecology of avian species in NW Greenland contributes to their mercury exposure; however, intraspecific variation in ecology and nesting locations in the region may influence those patterns.

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Acknowledgements

Field and laboratory assistance was provided by B. Konkel, C. Offield, R. Biesterfeld, C. Behnke, N. Bargmann, S. Schulwitz, S. Capodice, V. Padula, D. Causey, and J. Stephens. This work was supported by the AAG Anne U. White Award, Augustana College, C. Offield and the Offield Family Foundation, Wolf Creek Charitable Trust, the University of North Texas, R.O. Mutch, Patagonia, P. Burnham, J. Stephens, and the many others who have donated to the High Arctic Institute. The analyses were made possible in part by a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation award (0953271) to J. Welker that established the University of Alaska Anchorage Stable Isotope Laboratory. We thank the Greenland Home Rule Government for permissions to conduct scientific research in Greenland and the United States Air Force and Danish Liaison Office for access to Thule Air Base. Additional thanks go to Polar Field Service, the 109th Air National Guard, the National Science Foundation, and the Idaho Bureau of Land Management for their assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Augustana College, 639 38th St., Rock Island, IL, 61201, USA

    Jennifer Horwath Burnham

  2. High Arctic Institute, 603 10th Ave., Orion, IL, 61273, USA

    Kurt K. Burnham

  3. Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Box 298930, 2800 S. University Dr., Fort Worth, TX, 76129, USA

    Matthew M. Chumchal

  4. UArctic, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Jeffrey M. Welker

  5. Biological Sciences, University of Alaska, 3211 Providence Drive, EBL 117, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA

    Jeffrey M. Welker

  6. Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Applied Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #310559, Denton, TX, 76203, USA

    Jeff A. Johnson

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  1. Jennifer Horwath Burnham
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Correspondence to Jennifer Horwath Burnham.

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Burnham, J.H., Burnham, K.K., Chumchal, M.M. et al. Correspondence between mercury and stable isotopes in high Arctic marine and terrestrial avian species from northwest Greenland. Polar Biol 41, 1475–1491 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-018-2302-9

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