Mink and otter as indicators of mercury in Manitoba waters

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Tissues of mink (Mustela vison) and river otter (Lutra canadensis) from several Manitoba drainage basins were analyzed for total mercury. Results were compared among drainage basins and with published data. With some variations, mercury concentrations followed similar patterns in both species. Levels were highest in the samples from Winnipeg River and Burntwood River; these were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in samples from Duck Mountain that were comparable to background levels reported in the literature. Mean concentrations of mercury in samples from all areas were well below the reported acutely toxic levels. Mink and otter accumulated about 10 times more mercury than did predatory fishes from the same drinage areas. Monitoring of environmental mercury levels through mink and otter is a viable method, and these furbearers can serve as sensitive indicators of mercury even at very low levels of environmental contamination.