Co-Investigators:
T. Scheuhammer, Environment Canada, CWS.
Email: tony.scheuhammer@ec.gc.ca
Tel. 819-997-6128;

This research seeks to determine whether, and where, fish-eating wildlife in Canada are exposed to mercury (Hg) at sufficiently high levels to produce measurable impacts on their health and reproductive success; to investigate the genotoxic and immunotoxic effects of methymercury in birds; to study various environments, especially areas affected by non-ferrous mining/smelting activities or by the presence of underlying geology high in Hg, in order to identify habitats at greatest risk for Hg bioaccumulation and toxicity; and to investigate the demethylation of methyl-Hg in tissues of animals, especially the nature of Hg/Se interactions. Field surveys were carried out in summer 1999 to identify and characterize possible sampling sites. Survey results from 12 lakes in the Rouyn-Noranda and Val d'Or areas suggest that loons are plentiful, but that they are not reproducing (very low number of chicks); alternative sites are being considered in Ontario and in British Columbia. Laboratory work has been initiated to characterize Hg speciation, including Hg/Se species, in previously archived liver, kidney and brain tissues from common loons.

1999 summary for this project.