Increasing contaminant burdens in an arctic fish, Burbot (Lota lota), in a warming climate

2010

Authors

• Jesse Carrie University of Manitoba Centre for Earth Observation Science , University of Manitoba Department of Environment and Geography
• Feiyue Wang University of Manitoba Centre for Earth Observation Science , University of Manitoba Department of Environment and Geography , University of Manitoba Department of Chemistry
• Hamed Sanei Geological Survey of Canada
• Robie Macdonald University of Manitoba Centre for Earth Observation Science , University of Manitoba Department of Environment and Geography , Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences
• Peter M. Outridge University of Manitoba Centre for Earth Observation Science , University of Manitoba Department of Environment and Geography , Geological Survey of Canada
• Gary A. Stern University of Manitoba Centre for Earth Observation Science , University of Manitoba Department of Environment and Geography , Fisheries and Oceans Canada Freshwater Institute

Point of Contact

• Gary A. Stern University of Manitoba Centre for Earth Observation Science , University of Manitoba Department of Environment and Geography , Fisheries and Oceans Canada Freshwater Institute

Description

The temporal patterns of mercury (Hg), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other contaminants in Arctic aquatic biota are usually attributed to changing atmospheric sources. However, climate variability and change is another means of altering contaminant fate and bioavailability. We show here that the concentrations of Hg and PCBs in Mackenzie River burbot (Lota lota), a top predator fish and important staple food for northern Canadian communities, have increased significantly over the last 25 years despite falling or stable atmospheric concentrations, suggesting that environmental processes subsequent to atmospheric transport are responsible. Using a dated sediment core from a tributary lake near the Mackenzie River sampling site, we show that variations in Hg concentrations downcore are strongly associated with labile, algal-derived organic matter (OM). Strong temporal correlations between increasing primary productivity and biotic Hg and PCBs as reflected by burbot suggest that warming temperatures and reduced ice cover may lead to increased exposure to these contaminants in high trophic level Arctic freshwater biota.

Environmental Science & Technology volume 44 pages 316-322

DOI : 10.1021/es902582y

Cited by finding 7.2,chapter 6,chapter 7, and usgcrp-climate-human-health-assessment-2016. (reference: 67bf0866)