Increased Precision of Methyl Mercury Analysis for Assessment of Processes Controlling Bioavailability

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Mercury contamination is a global problem, and the distribution of mercury is particularly significant in Eastern Canada, a mercury hotspot. Methyl mercury (MeHg) is an acute neurotoxicant and endocrine-disrupting chemical that biomagnifies in food webs, resulting in neurological and reproductive effects in higher trophic level organisms. Several National (e.g. Canadian Mercury Science Assessment) and international (UNEP Global Mercury Treaty) initiatives are resulting in an increased demand for trace level mercury speciation analyses. Acadia's Center for Analytical Research on the Environment (CARE) is a collaborative hub for researchers examining mercury contaminants in Eastern Canada. CARE provides advanced analytical equipment (from five successful CFI applications) for studying and measuring contaminants in the environment at trace levels. However, the current facilities at Acadia do not allow for the reproducibility and throughput of samples required to advance the science. This modest upgrade to existing equipment will provide state-of-the-art analysis and will support the work of 3 NSERC-funded Canada Research Chairs (Dr. O'Driscoll, Dr. Mallory, and Dr. Kidd) and their associated training programs (>50 students over next 5 years), as well as 2 NSERC CREATE graduate programs linking university training across the Atlantic Provinces. Taken together our 3 programs address MeHg bioavailability in water, MeHg biomagnification, and population level effects of MeHg toxicity. The predictive models developed within these research programs will aid regulators in mitigating the exposure of mercury to food webs and will ultimately help to protect human and ecosystem health.