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Mercury Bioaccumulation In Wood Frogs Developing In Seasonal Pools, Cynthia Loftin, Aram J K Calhoun, Sarah J. Nelson, Adria A. Elskus, Kevin Simon
Mercury Bioaccumulation In Wood Frogs Developing In Seasonal Pools, Cynthia Loftin, Aram J K Calhoun, Sarah J. Nelson, Adria A. Elskus, Kevin Simon
Publications
Seasonal woodland pools contribute significant biomass to terrestrial ecosystems through production of pool-breeding amphibians. The movement of amphibian metamorphs potentially transports toxins bioaccumulated during larval development in the natal pool into the surrounding terrestrial environment. We documented total mercury (THg) in seasonal woodland pool water, sediment, litter, and Lithobates sylvaticus LeConte (Wood Frog) in Acadia National Park, ME. THg concentrations in pool water varied over the study season, increasing during April-June and remaining high in 2 of 4 pools upon October refill. Water in pools surrounded by softwoods had lower pH, greater dissolved organic carbon, and greater THg concentrations than …