Resume

• 2000

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

  Environmental Biology

  University of Ottawa / Université d'Ottawa

• 1996

  Master of Science (MSc)

  Watershed Ecosystems

  Trent University

• 1993

  BScH

  Environmental Science

  Carleton University

• Environmental Awareness

  University Teaching

  Biology

  DOM

  Science

  Report Writing

  Scientific Writing

  Ecology

  Geochemistry

  Environmental Research

  ultra violet radiation

  Environmental Chemistry

  Chemistry

  Sampling

  Research

  Grant Writing

  Field Work

  Environmental Science

  Mercury

  Data Analysis

  Mercury and methylmercury bioaccumulation by polychaete worms is governed by both feeding ecology and mercury bioavailability in coastal mudflats.

  Mark L. Mallory

  Travis G. Gerwing

  Joao Canairo

  Polychaete worms are abundant in many mudflats but their importance to coastal food web Hg biomagnification is not known. We sampled sediments and polychaete worms from mudflats in the Bay of Fundy to investigate the bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in the coastal invertebrate food web. Hg concentrations in the sediments were low (<20 μg kg(-1)). Labile Hg (methanol/KOH sediment extraction) in surface sediments (0-1 cm) was positively correlated with Hg bioaccumulation by surface sediment-ingesting polychaetes but

  surprisingly

  there was a negative correlation between δ(15)N (i.e. trophic level) and THg bioaccumulation factors in polychaete worms. Worms feeding on deeper sediments contained the greatest MeHg concentrations (69.6 μg kg(-1)). Polychaetes are an important vector for Hg biomagnification to the coastal avian food web. This research demonstrates that feeding depth and method of feeding are more important than trophic position or sediment Hg concentrations for predicting Hg bioaccumulation.

  Mercury and methylmercury bioaccumulation by polychaete worms is governed by both feeding ecology and mercury bioavailability in coastal mudflats.

  Mercury Biogeochemistry in Intertidal Mudflats

  The objective of my postdoctoral tenure in the O'Driscoll lab was to relate site-specific environmental factors to mercury bioaccumulation in biota at the base of the food chain in mudflats of the Bay of Fundy

  Canada.\n\nMy research on the Bay of Fundy mudflats showed that

  counter to conventional wisdom

  the feeding ecology of polychaete worms and the effect that they have on sediment biogeochemistry is more important than their tropic level for predicting mercury biomagnification through the coastal food chain.

  Adam Godfrey

  O'Driscoll

  Nelson

  O'Driscoll

  Acadia University

  Environment Canada

  Université de Montréal

  Wolfville

  Nova Scotia

  Associate Professor

  Acadia University

  Wolfville

  Nova Scotia

  Assistant Professor

  Acadia University

  Wolfville

  Full Professor

  Acadia University

  My research program is focused on predicting ecosystems that will be sensitive to mercury accumulation with climate change.

  Acadia University

  Université de Montréal

  Montreal

  Canada Area

  NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow

  Evaluated existing substances for exposure and effects on ecosystems.

  Environment Canada