Factors influencing mercury accumulation in three species of forage fishfrom Caddo Lake, Texas, USA
Matthew M Chumchal , Ray W Drenner , David R Cross , K David Hambright
DOI:
Received ,Revised , Accepted , Available online
Volume 22,2010,Pages 1158-1163
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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 di erences in Hg concentrations.
We examined total length, age, trophic position (determined using 15N), and growth rate of forage fish as factors that could have
influenced within- and between-species di erences in Hg concentration. Total length and age were the best predictors of within-species
di erences in Hg concentration. Between-species di erences in Hg concentrations were most strongly influenced by trophic position.
