Melissa McKinney
Assistant Professor,McGill University
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
E-mail: melissa.mckinney@mcgill.ca
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QCBS studentsTessa PlintPostdoctoral fellow Ambar Maldonado RodriguezPh.D. Adam PedersenPh.D. Victorine LambertM.Sc. Previous students (since 2009)Anaïs REMILIPostdoctoral fellow Megan FranzM.Sc. Relevant QCBS research themesExamples of species studiedHaliaeetus Haliaeetus leucocephalus Leucocephalus Ursus maritimus Somniosus microcephalus Pusa hispida Delphinapterus leucas Publications67- Legacy persistent organic pollutants among multiple cetacean species in the Northwest Atlantic Journal Article Remili A , McKinney M A , Maldonado-Rodriguez A , Ferguson S H , Caputo M , Kiszka J J , 2024 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2024-10-17) 66- Nontarget and suspect screening reveals the presence of multiple plastic-related compounds in polar bear, killer whale, narwhal and long-finned pilot whale blubber from East Greenland Journal Article Pedersen A F , Bayen S , Liu L , Dietz R , Sonne C , Rosing-Asvid A , Ferguson S H , McKinney M A , 2024 Environmental Pollution (Date Added: 2024-07-06) 65- Comparison of feeding niches between Arctic and northward-moving sub-Arctic marine mammals in Greenland Journal Article Land-Miller H , Roos A , Simon M , Dietz R , Sonne C , Pedro S , Rosing-Asvid A , Rigét F , McKinney M , 2024 Marine Ecology Progress Series (Date Added: 2024-06-21) 64- Long-term storage at –20°C compromises fatty acid composition of polar bear adipose biopsies Journal Article Lacombe R , Atwood T , Peacock E , Remili A , Dietz R , Sonne C , McKinney M , 2024 Marine Ecology Progress Series (Date Added: 2024-06-19) 63- Abiotic degradations of legacy and novel flame retardants in environmental and food matrices–a review Journal Article Leung G , McKinney M A , Yaylayan V , Bayen S , 2024 Food Additives and Contaminants - Part A (Date Added: 2024-06-05) 62- Space-use strategies drive diet composition of Baffin Bay polar bears Journal Article , 2024 Ecosphere (Date Added: 2024-05-28) 61- Feeding and biological differences induce wide variation in legacy persistent organic pollutant concentrations among toothed whales and polar bear in the Arctic Journal Article Pedersen A F , Dietz R , Sonne C , Letcher R J , Roos A M , Simon M , Rosing-Asvid A , Ferguson S H , McKinney M A , 2024 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2024-01-01) 60- Assessment of persistent organic pollutants in killer whales (Orcinus orca) of the Canadian Arctic: Implications for subsistence consumption and conservation strategies Journal Article Desforges J , Ferguson S H , Remili A , McKinney M A , Watt C A , Matthews C J , 2024 Environmental Research (Date Added: 2024-01-01) 59- Characterizing the Movement of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in an Avian Aquatic-Terrestrial Food Web Journal Article Hopkins K E , McKinney M A , Saini A , Letcher R J , Karouna-Renier N K , Fernie K J , 2023 Environmental science & technology (Date Added: 2023-12-13) 58- Varying Diet Composition Causes Striking Differences in Legacy and Emerging Contaminant Concentrations in Killer Whales across the North Atlantic Journal Article Remili A , Dietz R , Sonne C , Samarra F I P , Letcher R J , Rikardsen A H , Ferguson S H , Watt C A , Matthews C J D , Kiszka J J , Rosing-Asvid A , McKinney M A , 2023 Environmental science & technology (Date Added: 2023-11-10) 57- Mercury accumulation, biomagnification, and relationships to δ13C, δ15N and δ34S of fishes and marine mammals in a coastal Arctic marine food web Journal Article Yurkowski D J , McCulloch E , Ogloff W R , Johnson K F , Amiraux R , Basu N , Elliott K H , Fisk A T , Ferguson S H , Harris L N , Hedges K J , Jacobs K , Loewen T N , Matthews C J , Mundy C , Niemi A , Rosenberg B , Watt C A , McKinney M A , 2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin (Date Added: 2023-07-18) 56- Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis reveals a high level of dietary specialization in killer whales across the North Atlantic Journal Article Remili A , Dietz R , Sonne C , Samarra F I P , Rikardsen A H , Kettemer L E , Ferguson S H , Watt C A , Matthews C J D , Kiszka J J , Jourdain E , Borgå K , Ruus A , Granquist S M , Rosing‐Asvid A , McKinney M A , 2023 Journal of Animal Ecology (Date Added: 2023-05-01) 55- The influence of environmental and ecological factors on the accumulation and distribution of short- and long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids in a mid-trophic avian insectivore Journal Article Hopkins K E , McKinney M A , Letcher R J , Fernie K J , 2023 Environmental Pollution (Date Added: 2023-02-19) 54- Development and validation of a modified QuEChERS method for extracting polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides from marine mammal blubber Journal Article Pedersen A F , Dietz R , Sonne C , Liu L , Rosing-Asvid A , McKinney M A , 2023 Chemosphere (Date Added: 2023-01-03) 53- The influence of global climate change on accumulation and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants and chemicals of emerging concern in Arctic food webs Journal Article Borgå K , McKinney M A , Routti H , Fernie K J , Giebichenstein J , Hallanger I , Muir D C G , 2022 Environmental science. Processes & impacts (Date Added: 2022-11-06) 52- Feeding and contaminant patterns of sub-arctic and arctic ringed seals: Potential insight into climate change-contaminant interactions Journal Article Facciola N , Houde M , Muir D C , Ferguson S H , McKinney M A , 2022 Environmental Pollution (Date Added: 2022-09-27) 51- Validation of quantitative fatty acid signature analysis for estimating the diet composition of free-ranging killer whales Journal Article Remili, A, Dietz, R, Sonne, C, Iverson, SJ, Roy, D, Rosing-Asvid, A, Land-Miller, H, Pedersen, AF, McKinney, MA 2022 Scientific Reports (Date Added: 2022-07-14) 50- Climate change and mercury in the Arctic: Biotic interactions Journal Article McKinney M A , Chételat J , Burke S M , Elliott K H , Fernie K J , Houde M , Kahilainen K K , Letcher R J , Morris A D , Muir D C , Routti H , Yurkowski D J , 2022 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2022-05-12) 49- Climate change and mercury in the Arctic: Abiotic interactions Journal Article Chételat J , McKinney M A , Amyot M , Dastoor A , Douglas T A , Heimbürger-Boavida L , Kirk J , Kahilainen K K , Outridge P M , Pelletier N , Skov H , St Pierre K , Vuorenmaa J , Wang F , 2022 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2022-02-27) 48- Distinct gut microbiomes in two polar bear subpopulations inhabiting different sea ice ecoregions Journal Article Franz, M, Whyte, L, Atwood, TC, Laidre, KL, Roy, D, Watson, SE, Góngora, E, McKinney, MA 2022 Scientific Reports (Date Added: 2022-01-23) 47- Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota Journal Article Watson S E , McKinney M A , Pindo M , Bull M J , Atwood T C , Hauffe H C , Perkins S E , 2021 Scientific Reports (Date Added: 2021-12-20) 46- Measurable Levels of Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins in Western Hudson Bay Fishes but Limited Biomagnification from Fish to Ringed Seals Journal Article Facciola N , Pedro S , Houde M , Fisk A T , Ferguson S H , Steer H , Muir D C G , McKinney M A , 2021 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Date Added: 2021-10-01) 45- Individual Prey Specialization Drives PCBs in Icelandic Killer Whales Journal Article Remili A , Letcher R J , Samarra F I , Dietz R , Sonne C , Desforges J , Víkingsson G , Blair D , McKinney M A , 2021 Environmental Science and Technology (Date Added: 2021-05-14) 44- Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are the largest contributor to polycyclic aromatic compound concentrations in traditional foods of the Bigstone Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada Journal Article Golzadeh N , Barst B D , Baker J M , Auger J C , McKinney M A , 2021 Environmental Pollution (Date Added: 2021-03-01) 43- Broad feeding niches of capelin and sand lance may overlap those of polar cod and other native fish in the eastern Canadian Arctic Journal Article Pedro S , Fisk A T , Ferguson S H , Hussey N E , Kessel S T , McKinney M A , 2020 Polar Biology (Date Added: 2020-10-10) 42- Climate-associated drivers of plasma cytokines and contaminant concentrations in Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus) Journal Article Bourque J , Desforges J , Levin M , Atwood T C , Sonne C , Dietz R , Jensen T H , Curry E , McKinney M A , 2020 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2020-08-04) 41- Evaluating the concentrations of total mercury, methylmercury, selenium, and selenium:mercury molar ratios in traditional foods of the Bigstone Cree in Alberta, Canada Journal Article Golzadeh N , Barst B D , Basu N , Baker J M , Auger J C , McKinney M A , 2020 Chemosphere (Date Added: 2020-03-05) 40- Current state of knowledge on biological effects from contaminants on arctic wildlife and fish Journal Article Dietz R , Letcher R J , Desforges J , Eulaers I , Sonne C , Wilson S , Andersen-Ranberg E , Basu N , Barst B D , Bustnes J O , Bytingsvik J , Ciesielski T M , Drevnick P E , Gabrielsen G W , Haarr A , Hylland K , Jenssen B M , Levin M , McKinney M A , Nørregaard R D , Pedersen K E , Provencher J , Styrishave B , Tartu S , Aars J , Ackerman J T , Rosing-Asvid A , Barrett R , Bignert A , Born E W , Branigan M , Braune B , Bryan C E , Dam M , Eagles-Smith C A , Evans M , Evans T J , Fisk A T , Gamberg M , Gustavson K , Hartman C A , Helander B , Herzog M P , Hoekstra P F , Houde M , Hoydal K , Jackson A K , Kucklick J , Lie E , Loseto L , Mallory M L , Miljeteig C , Mosbech A , Muir D C , Nielsen S T , Peacock E , Pedro S , Peterson S H , Polder A , Rigét F F , Roach P , Saunes H , Sinding M S , Skaare J U , Søndergaard J , Stenson G , Stern G , Treu G , Schuur S S , Víkingsson G , 2019 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2019-10-11) 39- Are vitamins A and E associated with persistent organic pollutants and fatty acids in the blubber of highly contaminated killer whales (Orcinus orca) from Greenland? Journal Article Pedro S , Dietz R , Sonne C , Rosing-Asvid A , Hansen M , McKinney M , 2019 Environmental research (Date Added: 2019-09-14) 38- Global change-driven use of onshore habitat impacts polar bear faecal microbiota Journal Article Watson S E , Hauffe H C , Bull M J , Atwood T C , McKinney M A , Pindo M , Perkins S E , 2019 ISME Journal (Date Added: 2019-08-18) 37- State of knowledge on current exposure, fate and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic Journal Article Routti H , Atwood T C , Bechshoft T , Boltunov A , Ciesielski T M , Desforges J , Dietz R , Gabrielsen G W , Jenssen B M , Letcher R J , McKinney M A , Morris A D , Rigét F F , Sonne C , Styrishave B , Tartu S , 2019 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2019-02-17) 36- Limited effects of changing prey fish communities on food quality for aquatic predators in the eastern Canadian Arctic in terms of essential fatty acids, methylmercury and selenium Journal Article Pedro S , Fisk A T , Ferguson S H , Hussey N E , Kessel S T , McKinney M A , 2019 Chemosphere (Date Added: 2019-01-04) 35- Pollution threatens toothed whales Journal Article Sonne, C, Jepson, PD, Desforges, J-P, Alstrup, AKO, Olsen, MT, Eulaers, I, Hansen, M, Letcher, RJ, McKinney, MA, Dietz, R 2018 Science (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 34- Feeding habits of a new Arctic predator: Insight from full-depth blubber fatty acid signatures of Greenland, Faroe Islands, Denmark, and managed-care killer whales Orcinus orca Journal Article Bourque, J, Dietz, R, Sonne, C, St Leger, J, Iverson, S, Rosing-Asvid, A, Hansen, M, McKinney, MA 2018 Marine Ecology Progress Series (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 33- Blubber-depth distribution and bioaccumulation of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in Arctic-invading killer whales Journal Article Pedro, S, Boba, C, Dietz, R, Sonne, C, Rosing-Asvid, A, Hansen, M, Provatas, A, McKinney, MA 2017 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 32- Environmental and behavioral changes may influence the exposure of an Arctic apex predator to pathogens and contaminants Journal Article Atwood, TC, Duncan, C, Patyk, KA, Nol, P, Rhyan, J, McCollum, M, McKinney, MA, Ramey, AM, Cerqueira-Cézar, CK, Kwok, OCH, Dubey, JP, Hennager, S 2017 Scientific Reports (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 31- Ecological Change Drives a Decline in Mercury Concentrations in Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears Journal Article McKinney, MA, Atwood, TC, Pedro, S, Peacock, E 2017 Environmental Science and Technology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 30- Temporal complexity of southern Beaufort Sea polar bear diets during a period of increasing land use Journal Article Mckinney, MA, Atwood, TC, Iverson, SJ, Peacock, E 2017 Ecosphere (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 29- Mercury and persistent organic pollutants in native and invading forage species of the Canadian Arctic: Consequences for food web dynamics Journal Article Pedro, S, Fisk, AT, Tomy, GT, Ferguson, SH, Hussey, NE, Kessel, ST, McKinney, MA 2017 Environmental Pollution (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 28- Current-use pesticides in seawater and their bioaccumulation in polar bear–ringed seal food chains of the Canadian Arctic Journal Article Morris, AD, Muir, DCG, Solomon, KR, Letcher, RJ, McKinney, MA, Fisk, AT, McMeans, BC, Tomy, GT, Teixeira, C, Wang, X, Duric, M 2016 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 27- Rapid environmental change drives increased land use by an Arctic marine predator Journal Article Atwood, TC, Peacock, E, McKinney, MA, Lillie, K, Wilson, R, Douglas, DC, Miller, S, Terletzky, P 2016 PLoS ONE (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 26- Global versus local causes and health implications of high mercury concentrations in sharks from the east coast of South Africa Journal Article McKinney, MA, Dean, K, Hussey, NE, Cliff, G, Wintner, SP, Dudley, SFJ, Zungu, MP, Fisk, AT 2016 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 25- A review of ecological impacts of global climate change on persistent organic pollutant and mercury pathways and exposures in arctic marine ecosystems Journal Article McKinney, MA, Pedro, S, Dietz, R, Sonne, C, Fisk, AT, Roy, D, Jenssen, BM, Letcher, RJ 2015 Current Zoology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 24- Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modelling of immune, reproductive and carcinogenic effects from contaminant exposure in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) across the Arctic Journal Article Dietz, R, Gustavson, K, Sonne, C, Desforges, J-P, Rigét, FF, Pavlova, V, McKinney, MA, Letcher, RJ 2015 Environmental Research (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 23- Temporal and spatial variation in polychlorinated biphenyl chiral signatures of the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) and its arctic marine food web Journal Article Lu, Z, Fisk, AT, Kovacs, KM, Lydersen, C, McKinney, MA, Tomy, GT, Rosenburg, B, McMeans, BC, Muir, DCG, Wong, CS 2014 Environmental Pollution (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 22- Validation of adipose lipid content as a body condition index for polar bears Journal Article Mckinney, MA, Atwood, T, Dietz, R, Sonne, C, Iverson, SJ, Peacock, E 2014 Ecology and Evolution (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 21- Remote biopsy darting and marking of polar bears Journal Article Pagano, AM, Peacock, E, Mckinney, MA 2014 Marine Mammal Science (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 20- Comparative hepatic in vitro depletion and metabolite formation of major perfluorooctane sulfonate precursors in arctic polar bear, beluga whale, and ringed seal Journal Article Letcher, RJ, Chu, S, McKinney, MA, Tomy, GT, Sonne, C, Dietz, R 2014 Chemosphere (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 19- Global change effects on the long-term feeding ecology and contaminant exposures of East Greenland polar bears Journal Article Mckinney, MA, Iverson, SJ, Fisk, AT, Sonne, C, Rigét, FF, Letcher, RJ, Arts, MT, Born, EW, Rosing-Asvid, A, Dietz, R 2013 Global Change Biology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 18- Three decades (1983-2010) of contaminant trends in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Part 1: Legacy organochlorine contaminants Journal Article Dietz, R, Rigét, FF, Sonne, C, Born, EW, Bechshøft, T, McKinney, MA, Letcher, RJ 2013 Environment International (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 17- Three decades (1983-2010) of contaminant trends in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Part 2: Brominated flame retardants Journal Article Dietz, R, Rigét, FF, Sonne, C, Born, EW, Bechshøft, T, McKinney, MA, Drimmie, RJ, Muir, DCG, Letcher, RJ 2013 Environment International (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 16- Influence of carbon and lipid sources on variation of mercury and other trace elements in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) Journal Article Routti, H, Letcher, RJ, Born, EW, Branigan, M, Dietz, R, Evans, TJ, McKinney, MA, Peacock, E, Sonne, C 2012 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 15- Trophic transfer of contaminants in a changing arctic marine food web: Cumberland sound, Nunavut, Canada Journal Article McKinney, MA, McMeans, BC, Tomy, GT, Rosenberg, B, Ferguson, SH, Morris, A, Muir, DCG, Fisk, AT 2012 Environmental Science and Technology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 14- The authors' reply Journal Article Letcher, RJ, Mckinney, MA 2012 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 13- Comparison of the enantiomer distribution of chiral organochlorine contaminants in captive west greenland sled dogs and polar bears from Baffin Bay Unsupported: Serial (Book, Monograph) Ross, MS, Letcher, RJ, McKinney, MA, Sonne, C, Dietz, R, Wong, CS 2011 ACS Symposium Series (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 12- Comparative hepatic microsomal biotransformation of selected PBDEs, including decabromodiphenyl ether, and decabromodiphenyl ethane flame retardants in Arctic marine-feeding mammals Journal Article Mckinney, MA, Dietz, R, Sonne, C, De Guise, S, Skirnisson, K, Karlsson, K, Steingrímsson, E, Letcher, RJ 2011 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 11- Regional contamination versus regional dietary differences: Understanding geographic variation in brominated and chlorinated contaminant levels in polar bears Journal Article McKinney, MA, Letcher, RJ, Aars, J, Born, EW, Branigan, M, Dietz, R, Evans, TJ, Gabrielsen, GW, Muir, DCG, Peacock, E, Sonne, C 2011 Environmental Science and Technology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 10- Flame retardants and legacy contaminants in polar bears from Alaska, Canada, East Greenland and Svalbard, 2005-2008 Journal Article McKinney, MA, Letcher, RJ, Aars, J, Born, EW, Branigan, M, Dietz, R, Evans, TJ, Gabrielsen, GW, Peacock, E, Sonne, C 2011 Environment International (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 9- The role of diet on long-term concentration and pattern trends of brominated and chlorinated contaminants in western Hudson Bay polar bears, 1991-2007 Journal Article McKinney, MA, Stirling, I, Lunn, NJ, Peacock, E, Letcher, RJ 2010 Science of the Total Environment (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 8- Erratum: Polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and metabolites: Relation to circulating thyroid hormone and retinol in nestling bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Journal Article Cesh, LS, Elliott, KH, Quade, S, McKinney, MA, Maisoneuve, F, Garcelon, DK, Sandau, CD, Letcher, RJ, Williams, TD, Elliott, JE 2010 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Date Added: 2015-01-23) 7- Polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and metabolites: Relation to circulating thyroid hormone and retinol in nestling bald eagles (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) Journal Article Cesh, LS, Elliott, KH, Quade, S, Mckinney, MA, Maisoneuve, F, Garcelon, DK, Sandau, CD, Letcher, RJ, Williams, TD, Elliott, JE 2010 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Date Added: 2015-01-23) 6- Sea ice-associated diet change increases the levels of chlorinated and brominated contaminants in polar bears Journal Article Mckinney, MA, Peacock, E, Letcher, RJ 2009 Environmental Science and Technology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 5- Bioaccumulation and biotransformation of brominated and chlorinated contaminants and their metabolites in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from East Greenland Journal Article Letcher, RJ, Gebbink, WA, Sonne, C, Born, EW, McKinney, MA, Dietz, R 2009 Environment International (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 4- Brominated flame retardants and halogenated phenolic compounds in North American west coast bald eaglet (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) plasma Journal Article Mckinney, MA, Cesh, LS, Elliott, JE, Williams, TD, Garcelon, DK, Letcher, RJ 2006 Environmental Science and Technology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 3- Organohalogen contaminants and metabolites in beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) liver from two Canadian populations Journal Article McKinney, MA, De Guise, S, Martineau, D, Béland, P, Lebeuf, M, Letcher, RJ 2006 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 2- Biotransformation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) and rat mammalian model using an in vitro hepatic microsomal assay Journal Article McKinney, MA, De Guise, S, Martineau, D, Béland, P, Arukwe, A, Letcher, RJ 2006 Aquatic Toxicology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) 1- Characterization and profiling of hepatic cytochromes P450 and phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the St. Lawrence River Estuary and the Canadian Arctic Journal Article McKinney, MA, Arukwe, A, De Guise, S, Martineau, D, Béland, P, Dallaire, A, Lair, S, Lebeuf, M, Letcher, RJ 2004 Aquatic Toxicology (Date Added: 2018-10-10) In the mediaGovernment of Canada invests $6M in climate change adaptation and interdisciplinary research at McGill 2024-06-03 Tastes differ – even among North Atlantic killer whales (Katherine Gombay) 2023-04-14 Coastal and Seafaring Polar Bears Have Different Chemical Exposures (Jason Daley) 2019-12-18 |