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Aeshnid dragonfly larvae as bioindicators of methylmercury contamination in aquatic systems impacted by elevated sulfate loading

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Abstract

Methylmercury (MeHg) levels in dragonfly larvae and water were measured over two years in aquatic systems impacted to varying degrees by sulfate releases related to iron mining activity. This study examined the impact of elevated sulfate loads on MeHg concentrations and tested the use of MeHg in dragonfly larvae as an indicator of MeHg levels in a range of aquatic systems including 16 river/stream sites and two lakes. MeHg concentrations in aeshnid dragonfly larvae were positively correlated (R 2 = 0.46, p < 0.01) to peak MeHg concentrations in the dissolved phase for the combined years of 2012 and 2013. This relation was strong in 2012 (R 2 = 0.85, p < 0.01), but showed no correlation in 2013 (R 2 = 0.02, p > 0.05). MeHg in dragonfly larvae were not elevated at the highest sulfate sites, but rather the reverse was generally observed. Record rainfall events in 2012 and above average rainfall in 2013 likely delivered the majority of Hg and MeHg to these systems via interflow and activated groundwater flow through reduced sediments. As a result, the impacts of elevated sulfate releases due to mining activities were not apparent in these systems where little of the sulfate is reduced. Lower bioaccumulation factors for MeHg in aeshnid dragonfly larvae were observed with increasing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. This finding is consistent with previous studies showing that MeHg in high DOC systems is less bioavailable; an equilibrium model shows that more MeHg being associated with DOC rather than algae at the base of the food chain readily explains the lower bioaccumulation factors.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Joel Carlin, Megan Kelly, Benjamin Van Korff, Will Metcalf, and Derrick Berndt for assistance with larvae collection. Griffin Reed, Nevada Wendlandt, Amy Christiansen, Russell Kruger, Will Metcalf, and Tina Dahlseid processed and assisted with analyzing the larvae. Emily Seelen, Will Metcalf, and Signe Jeremiason assisted with identifying the larvae by family. Alison Agather, Michael Walker, Benjamin Van Korff, Bryan Voigt, Anna Huff, and Nathan Olson processed and analyzed THg and MeHg water samples. Kenna Butler provided analytical assistance. Travis Bavin, Bruce Monson, and Joel Carlin provided valuable technical assistance and suggestions. Funding was provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Iron Ore Cooperative Research program, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Environmental Cooperative Research program, the Clean Water Fund through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the National Science Foundation (Research award number 0923430), Gustavus Adolphus College, and the U. S. Geological Survey Toxics Substances Hydrology Program. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, MN, 56082, USA

    J. D. Jeremiason, T. K. Reiser & R. A. Weitz

  2. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St Paul, MN, USA

    M. E. Berndt

  3. US Geological Survey, 3215 Marine St., Boulder, CO, 80309, USA

    G. R. Aiken

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  1. J. D. Jeremiason
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Correspondence to J. D. Jeremiason.

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Jeremiason, J.D., Reiser, T.K., Weitz, R.A. et al. Aeshnid dragonfly larvae as bioindicators of methylmercury contamination in aquatic systems impacted by elevated sulfate loading. Ecotoxicology 25, 456–468 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-015-1603-9

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