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For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprodTo order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.Suggested citation: Ackerman, J.T., Herzog, M.P., Hartman, C.A., Isanhart, J., Herring, G., Vaughn, S., Cavitt, J.F., Eagles-Smith, C.A., Browers, H., Cline, C., and Vest, J., 2015, Mercury and selenium contamination in waterbird eggs and risk to avian reproduction at Great Salt Lake, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015-1020. ISSN 2331ISSN -1258 iii Tables Table 1. Acknowledgments Executive SummaryThe wetlands of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem are recognized regionally, nationally, and hemispherically for their importance as breeding, wintering, and migratory habitat for diverse groups of waterbirds. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is the largest freshwater component of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem and provides critical breeding habitat for more than 60 bird species. However, the Great Salt Lake ecosystem also has a history of both mercury and selenium contamination, and this pollution could reduce the health and reproductive success of waterbirds. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of mercury and selenium contamination to birds breeding within Great Salt Lake, especially at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, and to identify the waterbird species and areas at greatest risk to contamination. We sampled eggs from 33 species of birds breeding within wetlands of Great Salt Lake during 2010 ̶ 2012 and focused on American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), blacknecked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri), white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi), and marsh wrens (Cistothorus palustris) for additional studies of the effects of contaminants on reproduction.Mercury concentrations in eggs differed substantially among the 33 bird species studied. Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia; 0.87±0.09 micrograms per gram fresh wet weight [µg/g fww]) and Forster's terns (0.64±0.05 µg/g fww) had the highest egg mercury concentrations and Canada geese (Branta canadensis; 0.01±0.01 µg/g fww) had the lowest egg mercury concentrations. Trophic level alone did not explain the majority of the variation observed in egg mercury concentrations among species. Snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus; 0.44±0.08 µg/g fww) had the third highest egg mercury concentrations and were 189% higher than those in the closely related killdeer (Charadrius v...

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Wetland losses associated with Federal-aid-interstate, primary, and secondary highways were documented in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, South Dakota. and Minnesota in the Spring of 1986. Data on indirect wetland loss were coUected using a fixed-wing aircraft and were stratified by state, physiographic region, and type of highway. We recorded 734 wetland basins totaling 574.3 ha being drained via open ditches or subsurface tiles into rights-of-way along 3,503 km of roadway. Total estimated loss in the tristate area was at least 11,243 ha along 56,737 km of roadway constructed using Federal monies. No differences (P < 0.05) in drainage rates (ha per km of roadway) were detected when states, physiographic regions, or roadway types were compared. No differences (P < 28 WETLANDS, Volume 9, No. 1, 1989 0.05) were found between newly reconstructed and existing older roadways. Recommendations as a result of this study include the assessment and documentation of potentially illegal drains into the rights-of-way of Federal aid highways to enforce current wetland protection efforts. Another recommendation calls for the establishment of a "highway-impact-area" in which a zone of wetland loss could be delineated and monitored, This information can potentially be used for mitigation efforts and for a more informed approach to the planning process of future Federal-aid highway projects.