Factors influencing mercury accumulation in three species of forage fish from Caddo Lake,Texas,USA

• 作 者: Matthew M Chumchal Ray W Drenner David R Cross K David Hambright
• 机 构: Department of Biology,Texas Christian University,2800 S. University Dr,Fort Worth,TX 76129,USA;Depar
• 出 处: 环境科学学报（英文版）
• 发表日期: 2010年8期
• 关键词: mercury trophic position forage fish

Most studies that have examined mercury (Hg) contamination of fish have focused on game species feeding near the top of the food web, while studies that examine forage fish that feed near the base of the food web are rare. We conducted a survey of Hg contamination in three species of forage fish, brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus), threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), from Caddo Lake, Texas, USA and found species-specific differences in Hg concentrations. We examined total length, age, trophic position (determined using δ15N), and growth rate of forage fish as factors that could have influenced within- and between-species differences in Hg concentration. Total length and age were the best predictors of within-species differences in Hg concentration. Between-species differences in Hg concentrations were most strongly influenced by trophic position.