LIGHT AND MERCURY: ANTHROPOGENIC EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON LEACH’S STORM-PETREL (HYDROBATES LEUCORHOUS)

Master of Science (Biology) candidate: Linda Hutchinson
17 February 2026

10:00 AM Atlantic

Hybrid Defence

Alumni Boardroom, Fountain Commons

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27749246048434?p=ykDFpQLYgQuTs6hj9E  
Meeting ID: 277 492 460 484 34  
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Thesis Committee:

Drs. Dave Shutler, Michael Robertson & Nelson O’Driscoll, Supervisors
Dr. Marty Leonard, Dalhousie University, External Examiner
Dr. Mark Mallory, Internal Examiner
Dr. Stephanie Gauvin, Chair of the defence

Abstract

Seabirds are integral to marine ecosystem health, but globally are experiencing a multitude of anthropogenic stressors. Leach’s storm-petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous; hereafter storm-petrel) populations are declining in Atlantic Canada. This decline is likely due to a combination of threats, including artificial light at night (ALAN) and contaminants such as mercury (Hg). Positive phototaxis (movement towards light) in storm-petrels is associated with high rates of stranding and mortality. However, little is known about effects of wavelength (colour) on storm-petrel response to ALAN. I addressed this gap by assessing storm-petrel phototactic response to red, white, green, and blue light wavelengths on Bon Portage Island, Nova Scotia. I found negative phototaxis in all colours compared with dark control, though magnitude of this effect was less in long-wavelength red light. Storm-petrels have elevated Hg concentrations compared to other sympatric seabirds as well as anomalously long lifespans for their size. Telomere (ends of chromosomes) shortening, associated with organismal ageing, can be caused by oxidative stress (abundance of free radicals). Hg can cause oxidative stress by inhibiting neutralizing action of antioxidants. However, effects of Hg concentration on telomere length in storm-petrels are unknown. To address this gap, I measured telomere length in storm-petrel blood and total Hg concentration in feathers. I found no relationship between telomere length and total Hg, even when controlling for sex. Understanding effects of human pollution on storm-petrels is imperative to reducing harm and increasing conservation efficacy.

About Linda…

Linda Hutchinson graduated from Dalhousie University in 2022 with an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. She completed her honours thesis with Dr. Cindy Staicer focused on bioacoustics of Leach's storm-petrels on Bon Portage Island. She completed field work for this project with a crew from Dr. Dave Shutler’s lab at Acadia. During this trip, she developed a passion for seabirds and their conservation. She subsequently worked as a research assistant in Dr. Shutler's lab at Acadia University from July 2022 to August 2023. In this position, she assisted himself and his students with research on tree swallows, little brown myotis, ticks, and of course, storm-petrels. In fall 2023, she began her master's degree at Acadia under Drs. Shutler, O’Driscoll, and Robertson studying effects of light and mercury pollution on storm-petrels.