Source and trophic transfer of mercury in plankton from an ultraoligotrophic lacustrine system (Lake Nahuel Huapi, North Patagonia)

• Autores: Rizzo, Andrea Paula; Arcagni, Marina; Campbell, Linda; Koron, Neža; Pavlin, Majda; Arribere, Maria Angelica; Horvat, Milena; Ribeiro, Sergio
• Año de publicación: 2014
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: Mercury; Selenium; Plankton; Lacustrine Food Web; Lake Nahuel Huapi; North Patagonia
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

The incorporation and trophic transfer of total and methyl mercury (THg, MeHg) were examined in three size classes of plankton (10–53, 53–200, and >200 μm size range) and a small planktivorous fish, Galaxias maculatus, from the large multi-branched Lake Nahuel Huapi (North Patagonia, Argentina). Three sites representing a large range of lake benthic–pelagic structures (based on depth and shoreline characteristics) and precipitation regimes were sampled. Nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes (δ15N, δ13C) were analyzed to assess Hg trophodynamics. Selenium concentrations were determined together with THg in order to consider its potential effect on Hg trophodynamics. High THg concentrations (0.1–255 µg g−1 dry weight (DW)) were measured in plankton, largely in inorganic form (MeHg: 3–29 ng g−1 DW, 0.02–7 % of THg, in the two larger size classes). A trend of increasing THg concentrations, varying in two to three orders of magnitude, with decreasing plankton size was associated with precipitation measured prior to each sampling event. Passive adsorption of dissolved Hg2+ from wet deposition and runoff is considered to be the principal Hg uptake mechanism at the base of the pelagic food web. Despite the initially high THg uptake in the smaller plankton classes, the transfer to G. maculatus, and consequently to the entire food web, is likely limited due to low proportion of MeHg to THg in plankton. Furthermore, evidence of G. maculatus with benthic feeding habits having higher impact on MeHg trophic transfer compared to the same species with more pelagic (e.g., zooplankton) feeding habits, was observed. Although there is a high THg uptake in plankton, limited amounts are incorporated in the entire food web from the pelagic compartment.
Fil: Rizzo, Andrea Paula. Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Gerencia D/area de Energia Nuclear. Unidad de Actividad de Ingeniería Nuclear. Laboratorio de Analisis por Activación Neutronica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Arcagni, Marina. Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Gerencia D/area de Energia Nuclear. Unidad de Actividad de Ingeniería Nuclear. Laboratorio de Analisis por Activación Neutronica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Campbell, Linda. Saint Mary’s University; Canadá
Fil: Koron, Neža. National Institute of Biology; Eslovenia
Fil: Pavlin, Majda. “Jožef Stefan” Institute; Eslovenia
Fil: Arribere, Maria Angelica. Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Gerencia D/area de Energia Nuclear. Unidad de Actividad de Ingeniería Nuclear. Laboratorio de Analisis por Activación Neutronica; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; Argentina
Fil: Horvat, Milena. “Jožef Stefan” Institute; Eslovenia
Fil: Ribeiro, Sergio. Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Gerencia D/area de Energia Nuclear. Unidad de Actividad de Ingeniería Nuclear. Laboratorio de Analisis por Activación Neutronica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina