title: Comparative analysis of total mercury concentrations in anadromous and non-anadromous Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) from eastern Canada.
abstract: Previous research has documented that total mercury concentrations ([THg]) are lower in anadromous Arctic charr than in non-anadromous conspecifics, but the two life-history forms have rarely been studied together. Here, data from nine pairs of closely-located anadromous and non-anadromous Arctic charr populations were used to explore the impact of biological and life-history factors on individual [THg] across a range of latitudes (49-81° N) in eastern Canada. Unadjusted mean [THg] ranged from 20 to 114 ng/g wet weight (ww) in anadromous populations, and was significantly higher in non-anadromous populations, ranging from 111 to 227 ng/g ww. Within-population variations in [THg] were best explained by fish age, and were often positively related to fork-length and δN-inferred trophic level. Differences in [THg] were not related to differences in length-at-age (i.e., average somatic growth rate) among populations of either life-history type. Mercury concentrations were not related to site latitude in either the anadromous or non-anadromous fish. We conclude that the difference in Arctic charr [THg] with life-history type could not be explained by differences in fish age, fork-length, trophic position, or length-at-age, and discuss possible factors contributing to low mercury concentrations in anadromous, relative to freshwater, fish.
authors: Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1. sdorn@uwaterloo.ca
authors: S
authors: S
authors: van der Velden
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Evans
authors: J B
authors: JB
authors: Dempson
authors: D C G
authors: DC
authors: Muir
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Power
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D001835:Body Weight; D002170:Canada; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D014337:Trout / Q000502:physiology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury