Retrospective and current risks of mercury to panthers in the Florida Everglades

Ecotoxicology
M G BarronKyle J Barron

Abstract

Florida panthers are an endangered species inhabiting south Florida. Hg has been suggested as a causative factor for low populations and some reported panther deaths, but a quantitative assessment of risks has never been performed. This study quantitatively evaluated retrospective (pre-1992) and current (2002) risks of chronic dietary Hg exposures to panthers in the Florida Everglades. A probabilistic assessment of Hg risks was performed using a dietary exposure model and Latin Hypercube sampling that incorporated the variability and uncertainty in ingestion rate, diet, body weight, and mercury exposure of panthers. Hazard quotients (HQs) for retrospective risks ranged from less than 0.1-20, with a 46% probability of exceeding chronic dietary thresholds for methylmercury. Retrospective risks of developing clinical symptoms, including ataxia and convulsions, had an HQ range of <0.1-5.4 with a 17% probability of exceeding an HQ of 1. Current risks were substantially lower (4% probability of exceedences; HQ range <0.1-3.5) because of an estimated 70-90% decline in Hg exposure to panthers over the last decade. Under worst case conditions of panthers consuming only raccoons from the most contaminated area of the Everglades, current ...Continue Reading

Citations

May 3, 2007·Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part. B, Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes·Joseph Sherma
Aug 6, 2008·Ecotoxicology·D G RumboldT D Atkeson
Aug 24, 2017·Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciências·Joares A May JúniorJairo José Zocche

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