Mercury Levels in Longnose and Alligator Gar in Arkansas by Mauldin et al
Description
Levels of mercury in longnose and alligator gar from the Arkansas, Caddo, and Little Missouri Rivers in Arkansas are presented, with the following conclusions: • Longnose gar bioaccumulation of mercury is weakly parabolic followed by plateauing. • Preliminary evidence that alligator gar have higher levels of mercury than longnose gar. • Cinnabar in the Ouachita Mountains is a significant source of mercury in waterways. • Mercury levels, ranked: Arkansas River < Caddo River < Little Missouri River. • Mass/standard length ratios suggest effects of mercury on growth of gar.
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Mercury analysis of muscle tissue via direct mercury analysis. Samples of longnose gar collected opportunistically via bowfishers; alligator gar collected as bycatch from local commercial fisherman. Sex of fish determined via gross examination of sex organs. Ages of fish determined via sagittal otoliths and age/length data from other researchers.