Project Summary
The goals of this research are:
1
To understand regional and age specific patterns of total mercury and selenium concentration in Alaskan pinnipeds, in the context of the feeding ecology of each animal (trophic level of feeding assessed through stable nitrogen isotope analysis).
Does where you live impact the amount of mercury in your body?
Do young animals have more mercury in their bodies than adults? If you consume fish that are higher up on the food chain are you consuming more mercury?
2
To assess whether total mercury concentrations have changed over time in Alaskan pinnipeds. This will help us interpret whether patterns of [THg] could be impacting changes in Alaska pinniped populations.
Do ancient seals and sea lions from more than 1000 years ago show evidence of mercury contamination?
Has the amount of mercury in sea lions from recent history, the past 100 year, increased over time?
3
To understand the biological responses and potential adverse impacts of exposure to mercury and selenium in Alaskan pinnipeds through measurement of indices of effect such as depressed immune function, changes in oxidative stress indicators and altered gene expression.
Do we see specific evidence of poor health in sea lions with high mercury content?