Historic and Contemporary Mercury Exposure and Potential Risk to Yellow-Billed Loons ( Gavia adamsii) Breeding in Alaska and Canada.

The article discusses mercury exposure affecting the breeding grounds of yellow-billed loons in Alaska and Canada, based on an experimental study to determine the risks posed by mercury originating from waters in eastern Asia. Study results show that mercury concentrations in blood, feather, and egg tissues from live loons and museum specimens have lowered the species' productivity. Findings also indicate that mercury is an environmental stressor for yellow-billed loons in the Arctic habitats.