Trace element concentrations and gastrointestinal parasites of Arctic terns breeding in the Canadian High Arctic.
Baseline data on trace element concentrations are lacking for many species of Arctic marine birds. We measured essential and non-essential element concentrations in Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) liver tissue and brain tissue (mercury only) from Canada's High Arctic, and recorded the presence/absence of gastrointestinal parasites during four different phases of the breeding season. Arctic terns from northern Canada had similar trace element concentrations to other seabird species feeding at the same trophic level in the same region. Concentrations of bismuth, selenium, lead and mercury in Arctic terns were high compared to published threshold values for birds. Selenium and mercury concentrations were also higher in Arctic terns from northern Canada than bird species sampled in other Arctic areas. Selenium, mercury and arsenic concentrations varied across the time periods examined, suggesting potential regional differences in the exposure of biota to these elements. For unknown reasons, selenium concentrations were significantly higher in birds with gastrointestinal parasites as compared to those without parasites, while bismuth concentrations were higher in Arctic terns not infected with gastrointestinal parasites.
Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada. Electronic address: Jennifer.provencher@ec.gc.ca.
J F
JF
Provencher
Environment Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5 B6, Canada.
B M
BM
Braune
Environment Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5 B6, Canada.
H G
HG
Gilchrist
Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
M R
MR
Forbes
Biology Department, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada.
M L
ML
Mallory
D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D001151:Arsenic / Q000378:metabolism; D002170:Canada; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000378:metabolism; D010271:Parasites / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014131:Trace Elements; D008628:Mercury; D012643:Selenium; D001151:Arsenic
Arctic; Breeding stage; Mercury; Parasites; Selenium; Terns