TY - JOUR
T1 - Hibernacula water chemistry and implications for hibernating bats
AU - Vanderwolf, Karen J.
AU - McAlpine, Donald F.
AU - McGuire, Liam P.
N1 - Funding Information:
Thanks to C. Ottens, L. Lamey, and the staff at the Analytical Services Laboratory in Fredericton, New Brunswick, for processing the water samples. Thanks to C. K. R. Willis and Q. M. R. Webber for helpful discussion of this project. Access to hibernacula on private lands was generously provided by D. Roberts, J. Chown, and T. Gilchrist. Sampling at Underground Lake Cave, a Class 1 New Brunswick Protected Natural Area, was made possible through a scientific research permit provided by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources Protected Natural Areas Program. Scientific permits for entering sites were provided by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources Species-at-Risk Program and the New Brunswick Protected Natural Areas Program. Research funding was provided by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Crabtree Foundation, New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, and Parks Canada.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 American Society of Mammalogists.
PY - 2017/12/1
Y1 - 2017/12/1
N2 - Drinking water is a critical resource for hibernating bats and its importance may be further increased when disease affects water balance. White-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in bats, is associated with high mortality rates of several hibernating bat species in North America. Aside from restoring water balance, hibernaculum water sources may also provide minerals to bats, which could contribute to restoring electrolyte balance and reducing the impacts of WNS. However, hibernacula water sources may also be a source of toxic elements, such as heavy metals. We collected water samples from 12 hibernacula in New Brunswick, Canada, and determined the concentrations of 18 elements in each water sample (n = 103 samples). Aluminum, barium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and sodium were the most common elements detected, with concentrations of aluminum, lead, and manganese above drinking water recommendations (developed for human consumption) in some samples. The concentrations of electrolytes in cave water were orders of magnitude below therapeutic concentrations. Sampling period (early hibernation, late hibernation) did not affect results, but water profiles differed among sites and sample types within a site (running water, standing water, ceiling drip, and ice). The water profiles we recorded in our study suggest little potential for secondary consequences of drinking water, whether positive (i.e., electrolyte or mineral supplementation) or negative (i.e., heavy metal contamination).
AB - Drinking water is a critical resource for hibernating bats and its importance may be further increased when disease affects water balance. White-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in bats, is associated with high mortality rates of several hibernating bat species in North America. Aside from restoring water balance, hibernaculum water sources may also provide minerals to bats, which could contribute to restoring electrolyte balance and reducing the impacts of WNS. However, hibernacula water sources may also be a source of toxic elements, such as heavy metals. We collected water samples from 12 hibernacula in New Brunswick, Canada, and determined the concentrations of 18 elements in each water sample (n = 103 samples). Aluminum, barium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and sodium were the most common elements detected, with concentrations of aluminum, lead, and manganese above drinking water recommendations (developed for human consumption) in some samples. The concentrations of electrolytes in cave water were orders of magnitude below therapeutic concentrations. Sampling period (early hibernation, late hibernation) did not affect results, but water profiles differed among sites and sample types within a site (running water, standing water, ceiling drip, and ice). The water profiles we recorded in our study suggest little potential for secondary consequences of drinking water, whether positive (i.e., electrolyte or mineral supplementation) or negative (i.e., heavy metal contamination).
KW - cave water
KW - contaminants
KW - electrolytes
KW - underground water
KW - white-nose syndrome
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85039157347&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/jmammal/gyx111
DO - 10.1093/jmammal/gyx111
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85039157347
VL - 98
SP - 1578
EP - 1585
JO - Journal of Mammalogy
JF - Journal of Mammalogy
SN - 0022-2372
IS - 6
ER -