Physiological, Cellular, and Molecular Biomarkers

Subcategories of bioindicators at suboiganismal levels are generally referred to as biomarkers. Biomarkers may reflect either exposure, effect, or susceptibility of these, biomarkers of effect are both more valuable and more difficult to find. An ideal biomarker of mercury effect would be  

Reported impacts of mercury on individuals can be categorized into physiological/ functional, morphological, behavioral, reproductive, and demographic. 

Recent advances in molectrlar ecology and genetic analysis have increased om ability to examine the effects of mercury. The replicability of genetic assays makes them particularly attractive. 

Ecosystem Responses to Mercuty Contamination Indicators of Change 

More recently, Henry et al. (2002) have applied this same profile approach to dorrble-crested cormorants, snowy egrets, and black-crowned night herons from the Carson River system, demonstrating its across-species applicability. Hermy and coworkers expanded the profile to include histopathological parameters. 

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