Mercury in gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Alaska: Increased exposure through consumption of marine prey

Ashley K. McGrew; Lora R. Ballweber; Sara K. Moses; Craig A. Stricker; Kimberlee B. Beckmen; Mo D. Salman; Todd M. O’Hara

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.045

Mercury in gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Alaska: Increased exposure through consumption of marine prey

Science of the Total Environment

By: Ashley K. McGrew, Lora R. Ballweber, Sara K. Moses, Craig A. Stricker, Kimberlee B. Beckmen, Mo D. Salman, and Todd M. O’Hara

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.045

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Abstract

Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulates in the tissues of organismsand biomagnifies within food-webs. Graywolves (Canis lupus) in Alaska primarily acquire Hg through diet; therefore, comparing the extent of Hg exposure inwolves, in conjunction with stable isotopes, from interior and coastal regions of Alaska offers important insight into their feeding ecology. Liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle samples from 162 graywolves were analyzed for total mercury (THg) concentrations and stable isotopic signatures (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S).Median hepatic THg concentrations were significantly higher in wolves with coastal access compared to wolves from interior Alaska. Stable isotope ratios, in conjunction with THg concentrations, provide strong evidence that coastal wolves are utilizing marine prey representing several trophic levels. The utilization of cross-ecosystem food resources by coastal wolves is clearly contributing to increased THg exposure, and may ultimately have negative health implications for these animals.

Suggested Citation

McGrew, A.K., Ballweber, L.R., Moses, S.K., Stricker, C.A., Beckmen, K.B., Salman, M.D., O’Hara, T.M., 2013, Mercury in gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Alaska: Increased exposure through consumption of marine prey: Science of the Total Environment, v. 468-469, p. 609-613, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.045.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Mercury in gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Alaska: Increased exposure through consumption of marine prey
Series title	Science of the Total Environment
DOI	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.045
Volume	468-469
Year Published	2013
Language	English
Publisher	Elsevier
Contributing office(s)	Fort Collins Science Center
Description	5 p.
Larger Work Type	Article
Larger Work Subtype	Journal Article
Larger Work Title	Science of the Total Environment
First page	609
Last page	613
Country	United States
State	Alaska