Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative

Mercury Burdens in Amphibians: Redback Salamander Mercury Levels

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Metadata Provider

  • Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative

    • Address:
      705 Spear Street
      South Burlington, Vermont 05403
      United States of America

      Phone: (802) 391-4135
      Email: femc@uvm.edu
      Website: www.uvm.edu/femc

Abstract

    The goals of this pilot project were to determine the baseline levels of Hg in a completely terrestrial amphibian species (Redback Salamander) along an elevational gradient from hardwood forest to montane-fir forest, and determine baseline Hg burdens in a pool-breeding amphibian (Wood Frog) from montane-fir habitat.

People

  • Steven Faccio: Principal Investigator

Keywords

  • salamanders,

Geographic Coverage

  • Coordinates

    Data Table

    • Title: Redback Salamander Mercury Levels
    • Start Date: 2006-05-30
    • Description: The goals of this pilot project were to determine the baseline levels of Hg in a completely terrestrial amphibian species.

    • Purpose: Determining baseline levels of Hg in a completely terrestrial amphibian species.

    • Condensed Title: Z0173_VINS_VMC_Salamander_Hg_ForImport

    • Object Name: VMC.173.2163

    • Data Type: mySQL
    • Citation: Steven Faccio. 2017. Red Back Salamander Mercury Levels. VT Institute for Ecosystem Studies. FEMC. Can be found at: https://www.uvm.edu/femc/data/archive/project/mercury-burdens-amphibians/dataset/red-back-salamander-mercury-levels

    • Online Distribution: https://www.uvm.edu/femc/data/archive/project/mercury-burdens-amphibians/dataset/red-back-salamander-mercury-levels

    Attribute List

      Attribute Name: Habitat
      • Label: Habitat
      • Storage Type: text
      • Measurment Type: nominal
      Attribute Name: Mountain
      • Label: Mountain
      • Storage Type: text
      • Measurment Type: nominal
      Attribute Name: RedBack_Hg
      • Label: RedBack_Hg
      • Storage Type: decimal
      • Measurment Type: nominal

    Methods

    • Current Methods
      • Salamander searches
        • Started: 2006-05-06
        • Method Description: Active searches for Redback Salamanders were conducted in forested habitat on Stratton Mountain and Mt. Mansfield by turning over objects (logs, rocks, etc) where salamanders often hide. All salamanders were captured by hand and placed in a moistened plastic bag and measured (snout-to-vent, and total length). A tissue sample for Hg analysis was collected from each individual by clipping a small (~ 5mm) portion of their tail tip using surgical scissors.

      • Release
        • Started: 2006-05-06
        • Method Description: Salamanders were then immediately released at their point of capture

      • Wood Frog tadpole collection
        • Started: 2006-05-06
        • Method Description: Wood Frog tadpoles were collected using a dipnet from a small breeding pool at the summit of Stratton Mountain (3,928 feet elevation) and measured (snout-to-vent, and total length). All samples were immediately stored in Whirl-pak sample bags and zip locks, then frozen to prevent dehydration. Each sampling location was spatially referenced using GPS, and forest cover type was noted.


    Sampling Equipment

    • No sampling equipment recorded for this dataset

    Site Characteristics

    • No site characteristics recorded for this dataset