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TitleInfluence of forest fire on methyl mercury in macroinvertebrate and fish communities on the boreal plain
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsAllen, E. W.
VolumeBiological Sciences
IssueM. Sc.
Pagination100
Place PublishedUniversity of Alberta
Publication Languageen
Abstract

Recent studies suggest that logging can increase methyl mercury (MeHg) concentrations in aquatic biota. To determine if forest fire has a similar effect, I studied MeHg in macroinvertebrates and fish from 5 burned and 7 reference lakes on Alberta's Boreal Plain. Two years post-fire, MeHg concentrations in aquatic biota were similar between burned and reference lakes. MeHg concentrations were inversely correlated with lake water pH, total phosphorus concentration, and hardness, reflecting an elevational gradient in lake productivity. A second study was initiated when fire interrupted a logging experiment in a reference watershed. Three months post-fire, MeHg concentrations in biota decreased by 1.3- to 1.5-fold from pre-disturbance concentrations. Lake water concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and inorganic nitrogen increased by 1.2- and 10-fold respectively. Over the short-term, forest fire does not appear to increase MeHg concentrations in aquatic biota on the Boreal Plain.

URLhttp://search.proquest.com/docview/305267751
Topics

Biology

Locational Keywords

Swan Hills, Sakwatamau River, Freeman River, Saulteaux River, Mons Lake, Twin Lake, Shelley Lake, Michel Lake, Swartz Lake, Rat Lake, Marigold Lake, Christina Lake, Edith Lake, Pleasant Lake, Goodwin Lake, Delorme Lake

Active Link

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/56805490

Group

Science

Citation Key44678

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