Mercury levels in waterfowl from Manitoba, Canada, 1971-72

From two locations in Manitoba suspected of mercury pollution, waterfowl were collected during 1971 and 1972 to determine the incidence and nature of the contamination. Total mercury concentrations averaged 0.18 ppm and 0.22 ppm in breast muscle of 169 adult dabbling (Anatini) and 77 adult diving ducks (Aythyini, Mergini, and Oxyurini), respectively. Mercury concentrations in breast muscles of immature ducks of these tribes averaged 0.15 ppm total mercury for 70 dabblers and 0.16 ppm for 40 divers. Mean mercury residues in livers were 0.54 ppm and 0.31 ppm, respectively, in 60 adults and 30 immature dabblers and 0.93 ppm and 0.29 ppm, respectively, in 31 adults and 15 immature divers. Primary feathers of 20 adult and 12 immature dabblers collected in the Saskatchewan River Delta averaged 2.67 ppm and 1.34 ppm, while 10 adult and 7 immature divers averaged 1.48 ppm and 1.11 ppm, respectively. Only in 20 ducks, 10 dabblers and 10 divers, did mercury concentrations in the breast muscle exceed 0.50 ppm. Statistically significant relationships for the concentration of mercury in feathers to breast muscle, feathers to liver, and breast muscle to liver were found for spring adults and for immature dabbling ducks. The only significant relationship for divers was feather to liver concentrations for immature ducks and breast muscle to liver concentrations of spring adults in 1972 in the Saskatchewan River Delta.