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Mercury accumulation in mink fed fish collected from streams on the Oak Ridge Reservation
R S Halbrook1, L A Lewis, R I Aulerich
1Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6504, USA.
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|November 14, 1997
Summary
Feeding mink fish contaminated with mercury (Hg) from the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) led to increased mercury levels and some adverse effects. However, these effects were not attributed to mercury exposure itself.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Wildlife Health
- Contaminant Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Mercury (Hg) contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses risks to wildlife.
- The Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) has streams with potential mercury pollution.
- Mink are sensitive indicators of environmental contaminant effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of mercury-contaminated fish from ORR streams on mink health and reproduction.
- To compare the impacts of ORR fish diets with control diets (Clinch River or ocean fish).
Main Methods:
- Mink were fed diets containing 25%, 50%, or 75% ORR-sourced fish.
- Mercury concentrations in diets and mink tissues (adults and offspring) were measured.
- Physiological and reproductive parameters were assessed and compared to controls.
Main Results:
- Mercury concentrations in diets and mink tissues increased with higher percentages of ORR fish.
- Female mink fed 75% ORR fish showed reduced body weight and fewer offspring.
- Observed adverse effects were not correlated with mercury levels, suggesting other factors may be involved.
Conclusions:
- Diets high in ORR-sourced fish increase mercury body burden in mink.
- Adverse reproductive and physiological effects were observed but not directly attributed to mercury exposure.
- Further investigation is needed to identify the causative agents for observed effects in mink fed ORR fish.