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Wildfire burn severity and stream chemistry influence aquatic invertebrate and riparian avian mercury exposure in forested ecosystems

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Abstract

Terrestrial soils in forested landscapes represent some of the largest mercury (Hg) reserves globally. Wildfire can alter the storage and distribution of terrestrial-bound Hg via reemission to the atmosphere or mobilization in watersheds where it may become available for methylation and uptake into food webs. Using data associated with the 2007 Moonlight and Antelope Fires in California, we examined the long-term direct effects of wildfire burn severity on the distribution and magnitude of Hg concentrations in riparian food webs. Additionally, we quantified the cross-ecosystem transfer of Hg from aquatic invertebrate to riparian bird communities; and assessed the influence of biogeochemical, landscape variables, and ecological factors on Hg concentrations in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. Benthic macroinvertebrate methylmercury (MeHg) and riparian bird blood total mercury (THg) concentrations varied by 710- and 760-fold, respectively, and Hg concentrations were highest in predators. We found inconsistent relationships between Hg concentrations across and within taxa and guilds in response to stream chemical parameters and burn severity. Macroinvertebrate scraper MeHg concentrations were influenced by dissolved organic carbon (DOC); however, that relationship was moderated by burn severity (as burn severity increased the effect of DOC declined). Omnivorous bird Hg concentrations declined with increasing burn severity. Overall, taxa more linked to in situ energetic pathways may be more responsive to the biogeochemical processes that influence MeHg cycling. Remarkably, 8 years post-fire, we still observed evidence of burn severity influencing Hg concentrations within riparian food webs, illustrating its overarching role in altering the storage and redistribution of Hg and influencing biogeochemical processes.

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Data availability

The data are available at Herring et al. 2023.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the USDA Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey (Contaminant Biology Program and Ecosystems Mission Area). We thank W. Catellino, C. Dillingham, K. Doten, C. Emery, S. Hardy, D. Hodges, B. Johnson, C. Kruse, J. Lee, K. Nowlin, J. Pierce, C. Rumrill, R. Taylor, and C. Wisotzky, for field and lab assistance, and S. Peterson and two anonymous reviewers provide constructive feedback on earlier drafts. The use of trade, product, or firm names in the publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U. S. Government. This product paper has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication consistent with USGS Fundamental Science Practices (http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1367/).

Author contributions

Conceptualization: MJ, CAE; Methodology: LBT, JJW, MJ., C.A.E.; Formal analysis and investigation: GH, LBT, RBS, JSP; Writing – original draft preparation: GH; Writing – GH, LBT, JJW, MJ, RBS, JSP, CAE; Funding acquisition: MJ, CAE.

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Author notes

  1. Lora B. Tennant

    Present address: Nez Perce Tribe, Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Joseph, OR, 97846, USA

  2. Julia S. Polasik

    Present address: Teton Raptor Center, Wilson, WY, 83014, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Garth Herring, Lora B. Tennant, James J. Willacker & Collin A. Eagles-Smith

  2. National Park Service, Inventory & Monitoring Division, Southern Colorado Plateau Network, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA

    Matthew Johnson

  3. The Institute for Bird Populations, Petaluma, CA, 94953, USA

    Rodney B. Siegel & Julia S. Polasik

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  1. Garth Herring
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Herring, G., Tennant, L.B., Willacker, J.J. et al. Wildfire burn severity and stream chemistry influence aquatic invertebrate and riparian avian mercury exposure in forested ecosystems. Ecotoxicology 33, 131–141 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-024-02730-6

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