Investigation of the Toxic Effects of Mercury in Landlocked Arctic Char

Data collected from landlocked char in northern Canada and Greenland indicates that 30 percent of the populations surveyed exceed toxicity thresholds for Hg in fish. Collections were conducted in cooperation with the char "core" monitoring project led by Derek Muir. The lakes sampled (Small, 9-mile, North, Amituk) span a gradient of Hg contamination, allowing for the comparison of biological endpoints in char with low Hg concentrations to char with high Hg concentrations. Endpoints relate to reproduction, oxidative stress biomarkers, and general health.