Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Northeast Naturalist

Publisher

Eagle Hill Institute

Rights and Access Note

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Publication Date

12-2012

Publisher location

Stuben, ME

First Page

579

Last Page

600

Issue Number

4

Volume Number

19

Abstract/ Summary

Seasonal woodland pools contribute significant biomass to terrestrial ecosystems through production of pool-breeding amphibians. The movement of amphibian metamorphs potentially transports toxins bioaccumulated during larval development in the natal pool into the surrounding terrestrial environment. We documented total mercury (THg) in seasonal woodland pool water, sediment, litter, and Lithobates sylvaticus LeConte (Wood Frog) in Acadia National Park, ME. THg concentrations in pool water varied over the study season, increasing during April-June and remaining high in 2 of 4 pools upon October refill. Water in pools surrounded by softwoods had lower pH, greater dissolved organic carbon, and greater THg concentrations than pools surrounded by hardwoods, with seasonal patterns in sediment THg but not litter THg. THg increased rapidly from near or below detection in 1-2 week old embryos (< 0.2 ng; 0-0.49 ppb wet weight) to 17.1-54.2 ppb in tadpoles within 6 weeks; 7.2-42.0% of THg was methyl Hg in tadpoles near metamorphosis. Metamorphs emigrating from seasonal pools may transfer mercury into terrestrial food webs.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Loftin, C.S., Calhoun, A.J.K., Nelson, S., Elskus, A., & Simon, K. 2012. Does mercury bioaccumulate in wood frogs developing in seasonal woodland pools in Maine, USA? Northeastern Naturalist 19:579-600.

Publisher Statement

© 2012 Eagle Hill Institute

DOI

DOI: 10.2307/41810144

Version

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In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted.