2026 Ecosystem Transformation 9 (3), 130-144

Mercury content in the invertebrates of lower trophic levels of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the southern coast of Sakhalin Island, Far East, Russia

Udodenko Yu. G.  , Kamshilova T.B., Devyatova T.A., Gordeev I.I.

Mercury concentrations were determined in invertebrates of various taxonomic groups and trophic levels sampled in August 2025 near Cape Anastasia, Crillon Peninsula, Sakhalin Island (Far East, Russia). Terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates contained significantly more mercury than those inhabiting the marine intertidal zone. The highest mercury concentrations were registered for the earthworm, Octolasion lacteum (650 ± 387 ng/g), and the lowest – for isopod crustaceans of the genus Idotea (28 ± 9 ng/g). The food spectra and trophic group (type of feeding) affect significantly the variability of mercury concentrations in regard to taxonomic and ecological groups of invertebrates inhabiting the same biotope. The mercury concentrations obtained for studied invertebrates can be used as background values.

Yu. G. Udodenko
Cherepovets State University
pr. Lunacharskogo 5, Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, 162600 Russia

I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl region, 152742 Russia

PhD in Biology, research scientist
udu@mail.ru

T. B. Kamshilova
I.D. Papanin Institute of Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl Oblast, 152742 Russia


T. A. Devyatova
Voronezh State University, head of the department
Universitetskaya pl. 1, Voronezh, Voronezh Region, 394018 Russia

Doctor of Science in Biology, Professor

I. I. Gordeev
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119234 Russia

Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography
Okruzhnoy proezd 19, Moscow, 105187 Russia

Sakhalin State University
Kommunistichesky Prospekt St. 33, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 693000 Russia

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