Projecting Future Change from Archaeological Data: Evidence for Climate-Related Contaminant Fluctuations in Holocene Marine Arch

Biogeochemical analysis of total mercury (tHg) and d13C/d15N ratios in the bone collagen of archaeologically recovered marine fauna from coastal Alaska shows high tHg levels during early/mid-Holocene (ca. 52-4600 rcy BP). This is linked to glacial melting and sea-level rise at the end of the Pleistocene. Under current conditions of climate warming, these processes may lead to future increased Hg bioaccumulation in marine species and by extension their human consumers. I discuss the value of length time series for understanding ecosystem structure and function and change over time, and the connections among ocean processes, sea level rise, and prehistoric human health and future health risks. Mote info: http://www.arkyalberta.com/

Location:

ES162 Tom Oliver Room

Speaker:

Maribeth Murray, Arctic Institute of North America

More information at http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/calendar/projecting-future-change-archaeological-data-evidence-climate-related-contaminant