Qamanirjuaq caribou have higher mercury concentrations than many other Arctic caribou herds. Usually, caribou get most of their mercury from lichens, but local elders described the Qamanirjuaq caribou eating seaweed from the seashore. Since seaweed is known to accumulate some metals, it was hypothesized that the caribou may be getting additional mercury from this source.
Abstract
Qamanirjuaq caribou have higher mercury concentrations than many other Arctic caribou herds. Usually, caribou get most of their mercury from lichens, but local elders described the Qamanirjuaq caribou eating seaweed from the seashore. Since seaweed is known to accumulate some metals, it was hypothesized that the caribou may be getting additional mercury from this source. Interviews with elders and hunters in four Kivalliq communities indicated that Qamanirjuaq caribou forage for lichens on the tundra and hilltops in the winter and for lichens and other vegetation (including seaweed) on lakes, rivers and the seashore in the summer. Mercury concentrations were significantly and consistently lower in seaweed than in mushrooms and lichens in four Kivalliq communities, suggesting that seaweed is not a major source of mercury for the Qamaniruaq caribou. Results of this project were presented to the five Kivalliq communities in the fall of 2017.
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Related Herds: Beverly and Qaminirjuaq
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