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Abstract
Environmental contamination by anthropogenic pollutants is a common issue worldwide. Given their association with aquatic systems, semi-aquatic mammals are useful for monitoring contaminants and may be important indicators of ecosystem health. The objectives of this research are to determine trace element and radionuclide levels in tissues of raccoons, beaver, and otter collected in the southeastern United States, and elucidate the influence of contaminant exposure on endoparasite communities in these species. Additionally, we use raccoon GPS data to model how fine-scale habitat use influences exposure to a heterogeneously distributed contaminant. The results of this research revealed interspecific-differences in contaminant exposure and that spatial variability in contaminant distribution exists in the southeastern U.S. Further, animal use of contaminated environments was positively associated with their measured contaminant burdens. Collectively, this research suggests semi-aquatic mammals are useful bioindicators, but spatial heterogeneity in use of contaminated environments exists among individuals, even at highly localized scales.