ASC Data

Mercury Concentrations, Diet, and Gut Microbiota Diversity of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2008-2019

Data Download [40.9KB] | Metadata | AK Science Portal | Project Site | Date Range: 2008 - 2019

This dataset is two tables with data collected and derived from polar bears sampled in Alaska's southern Beaufort Sea during 2008-2019. Collected data includes demographic and morphometric information and derived data includes mercury concentrations in hair samples. Ancillary data includes gut microbiome abundances, diversity indices, calculated body condition, and the proportions of prey species detected in individual bear diets. These data were used to determine whether gut microbiota community richness and diversity were associated with diet-acquired mercury.

Author(s): USGS Alaska Science Center, Polar Bear Research Program.

Suggested Citation:
USGS Alaska Science Center, Polar Bear Research Program., 2023, Mercury concentrations, diet, and gut microbiota diversity of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears, 2008-2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P92XAUH9.

Referenced Publication(s):

Watson, S. E., M. A. McKinney, M. Pindo, M. J. Bull, T. C. Atwood, H. C. Hauffe, and S. E. Perkins. 2021. Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota. Scientific Reports 11:23372. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-02657-6

DataID: 591 | doi:10.5066/P92XAUH9 | Date Posted Online: 2023-09-05 | Last Updated:

Not finding what you are looking for? Let us know by contacting ascweb@usgs.gov