Mercury levels in soil and vegetation of arctic terrestrial ecosystems.
I would like to collect soil and vegetation samples to analyse mercury levels to create a spatial overview of mercury levels in Arctic terrestrial ecosystems. Earlier experiments with goslings showed adverse effects at low levels of exposure. This project would enable us to put the results of those studies in a wider context. In addition to the soil and vegetation I would also like to collect goose faeces, indicative for exposure to contaminants in the food. Most research on mercury in the Arctic has been performed in the marine ecosystem. This project will focus on the terrestrial project with potential implications for herbivores like geese and reindeer. Together with Maarten Loonen, Frits Steenhuisen.
