Investigation of the Toxic Effects of Mercury in Landlocked Arctic Char

Mercury (Hg) causes toxic effects in fish. In northern Canada, and especially Nunavut, Hg concentrations can be high in predatory fish, including landlocked Arctic char. In 2015, landlocked char were collected from lakes on Cornwallis Island, as part of an ongoing project, to determine whether wild populations are indeed experiencing Hg toxicity. The project goes beyond documenting Hg concentrations in fish and will provide critical knowledge concerning the status of fish health, and because Indigenous populations rely on Arctic ecosystems, information about the health of these ecosystems will be pertinent to these communities.