Climate-Driven Alterations in the Mercury Cycle: Implications for Wildlife Managers Through a One Health Lens
Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring element, but atmospheric Hg has increased due to human activities since the industrial revolution. When deposited in aquatic environments, atmospheric Hg can be converted to methyl mercury (MeHg), which bioaccumulates in ecosystems and can cause neurologic and e...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/856 |
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| author | Jennifer L. Wilkening Angelika L. Kurthen Kelly Guilbeau Dominic A. Libera Sarah J. Nelson Jaron Ming |
| author_facet | Jennifer L. Wilkening Angelika L. Kurthen Kelly Guilbeau Dominic A. Libera Sarah J. Nelson Jaron Ming |
| author_sort | Jennifer L. Wilkening |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring element, but atmospheric Hg has increased due to human activities since the industrial revolution. When deposited in aquatic environments, atmospheric Hg can be converted to methyl mercury (MeHg), which bioaccumulates in ecosystems and can cause neurologic and endocrine disruption in high quantities. While higher atmospheric Hg levels do not always translate to higher contamination in wildlife, museum specimens over the past 2 centuries have documented an increase in species that feed at higher trophic levels. Increased exposure to pollutants presents an additional threat to fish and wildlife populations already facing habitat loss or degradation due to global change. Additionally, Hg cycling and bioaccumulation are primarily driven by geophysical, ecological, and biogeochemical processes in the environment, all of which may be modulated by climate change. In this review, we begin by describing where, when, and how the Hg cycle may be altered by climate change and how this may impact wildlife exposure to MeHg. Next, we summarize the already observed physiological effects of increased MeHg exposure to wildlife and identify future climate change vulnerabilities. We illustrate the implications for wildlife managers through a case study and conclude by suggesting key areas for management action to mitigate harmful effects and conserve wildlife and habitats amid global change. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aff6fcab0f87475f818760cb3abc2e48 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-aff6fcab0f87475f818760cb3abc2e482025-08-20T02:17:59ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-04-0114485610.3390/land14040856Climate-Driven Alterations in the Mercury Cycle: Implications for Wildlife Managers Through a One Health LensJennifer L. Wilkening0Angelika L. Kurthen1Kelly Guilbeau2Dominic A. Libera3Sarah J. Nelson4Jaron Ming5Natural Resource Program Center, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USANatural Resource Program Center, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USAScience Applications, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lafayette, LA 70517, USANatural Resource Program Center, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USAAppalachian Mountain Club, Gorham, NH 03581, USANatural Resource Program Center, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USAMercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring element, but atmospheric Hg has increased due to human activities since the industrial revolution. When deposited in aquatic environments, atmospheric Hg can be converted to methyl mercury (MeHg), which bioaccumulates in ecosystems and can cause neurologic and endocrine disruption in high quantities. While higher atmospheric Hg levels do not always translate to higher contamination in wildlife, museum specimens over the past 2 centuries have documented an increase in species that feed at higher trophic levels. Increased exposure to pollutants presents an additional threat to fish and wildlife populations already facing habitat loss or degradation due to global change. Additionally, Hg cycling and bioaccumulation are primarily driven by geophysical, ecological, and biogeochemical processes in the environment, all of which may be modulated by climate change. In this review, we begin by describing where, when, and how the Hg cycle may be altered by climate change and how this may impact wildlife exposure to MeHg. Next, we summarize the already observed physiological effects of increased MeHg exposure to wildlife and identify future climate change vulnerabilities. We illustrate the implications for wildlife managers through a case study and conclude by suggesting key areas for management action to mitigate harmful effects and conserve wildlife and habitats amid global change.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/856global changepollutantssynergistic stressorsnational wildlife refugeclimate change vulnerabilityone health |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer L. Wilkening Angelika L. Kurthen Kelly Guilbeau Dominic A. Libera Sarah J. Nelson Jaron Ming Climate-Driven Alterations in the Mercury Cycle: Implications for Wildlife Managers Through a One Health Lens Land global change pollutants synergistic stressors national wildlife refuge climate change vulnerability one health |
| title | Climate-Driven Alterations in the Mercury Cycle: Implications for Wildlife Managers Through a One Health Lens |
| title_full | Climate-Driven Alterations in the Mercury Cycle: Implications for Wildlife Managers Through a One Health Lens |
| title_fullStr | Climate-Driven Alterations in the Mercury Cycle: Implications for Wildlife Managers Through a One Health Lens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Climate-Driven Alterations in the Mercury Cycle: Implications for Wildlife Managers Through a One Health Lens |
| title_short | Climate-Driven Alterations in the Mercury Cycle: Implications for Wildlife Managers Through a One Health Lens |
| title_sort | climate driven alterations in the mercury cycle implications for wildlife managers through a one health lens |
| topic | global change pollutants synergistic stressors national wildlife refuge climate change vulnerability one health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/856 |
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