Abstract:

This dataset contains estimates of total mercury (THg) concentration in the blood of seaside sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) and marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) in marshes west and east of the Mississippi River from 2015-03-18 to 2016-06-27. In addition, estimates of stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotope values in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound, as proxies of trophic position and the source of primary production, are also included.

Suggested Citation:

Bonisoli-Alquati, Andrea, Allyson K. Jackson, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Sydney Moyo, Anna A. Pérez-Umphrey, Michael J. Polito, Allison M. Snider, S. Tyler Williams, Stefan Woltmann, Philip C. Stouffer, and Sabrina S. Taylor. 2024. Mercury concentrations in seaside sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) and marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) and estimates of stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound, 2015-03-18 to 2016-06-27. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/976b2y4j

Purpose:

Quantifying blood concentrations of total mercury (THg) in seaside sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) and marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) in marshes west and east of the Mississippi River, and testing for a difference in THg concentrations between sites oiled by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and non-oiled sites, in 2015 and 2016.

Data Parameters and Units:

Body mass (g); tarsus length (mm); δ15N (standard δ notation in parts per mil [‰] deviations from standard, i.e., atmospheric N2); δ13C (standard δ notation in parts per mil [‰] deviations from standard, i.e., Vienna PeeDee Belemnite [VPDB]); total mercury concentrations in blood (ppm).

Methods:

Mercury analyses: total Hg (THg) was quantified according to EPA method 7473 (United States Environmental Protection Agency 2007). Milestone tri-cell DMA-80 Direct Hg Analyzer was utilized (Milestone, Shelton, Connecticut USA). The method uses combustion and gold amalgamation coupled with cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Blood THg concentrations are expressed in ppm wet weight (ww). Certified reference material (dogfish muscle tissue, DORM-4, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa Canada), calibration verification (liquid standards), air blanks, and boat blanks were included in each run. Stable isotope analyses: Samples were flash-combusted using a Costech ECS4010 Elemental Analyzer and analyzed for δ13C and δ15N values via a Thermo Scientific XP Ratio Mass Spectrometer.

Instruments:

Thermo Scientific XP Ratio Mass Spectrometer; Milestone tri-cell DMA-80 Direct Hg Analyzer

Individual Files: