title: Trace elements in eggs of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) breeding in Nova Scotia, Canada.
abstract: We provide the first report on trace element concentrations in eggs of common eiders (Somateria mollissima), a coastal benthic foraging sea duck, from Nova Scotia, Canada, and compare those to known values from this species elsewhere. Most trace elements of toxicological concern (Hg, Se, Cd, Cu, Zn) were lower in eider eggs from Nova Scotia than from eider eggs collected farther north in Canada, although As was elevated. Our data provide strong support for a pattern of increasing Hg at higher latitudes for this species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.
authors.forename: Isabeau
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pratte
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.
authors.forename: Molly D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Tomlik
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.
authors.forename: Taylor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Betsch
authors.affiliation: Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada.
authors.forename: Birgit M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Braune
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Resources, 136 Exhibition Street, Kentville, NS B4N 4E5, Canada.
authors.forename: G Randy
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Milton
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada. Electronic address: mark.mallory@acadiau.ca.
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mallory
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004372:Ducks; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D009674:Nova Scotia; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Coast; Common eider; Mercury; Somateria mollissima; Trace elements