Evidence for exposure to selenium by breeding interior snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus) in saline systems of the Southern Great Plains

Abstract

Interior snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus) population declines and deteriorating conditions throughout the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma may be linked to environmental contaminants. Concentrations of V, As, Cd, Pb, and Se were quantified in breeding snowy plover blood, feathers (5th primary; P5), and potential prey (tiger beetles [Cicindela circumpicta and C. togata]). Se was (a) most commonly detected relative to other quantified elements and (b) frequently quantified at levels exceeding background or toxicity thresholds. Of samples greater than instrumentation detection limits, 98% of snowy plover blood and 22% of feather samples were greater than Se toxicity thresholds of 1 ppm ww for blood and 5 ppm dw for feathers (blood quantifiable range: 0.83-15.12 ppm; feathers quantifiable range: 1.90-27.47 ppm). Almost all tiger beetle Se concentrations were below reported invertebrate thresholds of 30 ppm dw (quantifiable range: 0.54-45.84 ppm). Snowy plover blood Se concentrations were related to sex, individual body condition, and local tiger beetle Se concentrations, while plover P5 Se concentrations were related to state, sex, and presence of body molt. Tiger beetle Se concentrations were related to individual study sites in Texas. These results provide some of the first evidence of Se exposure risk for interior snowy plovers nesting in saline lake and alkali flat environments of the SGP. Future efforts should focus upon specific Se uptake pathways during breeding and nonbreeding seasons, as snowy plovers breeding in the SGP appear to be exposed to Se throughout their annual cycle.

Monitoramento de Elementos Traço Usando Fígados da Garça-Branca-Grande (Ardea Alba) na Região Metropolita na de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil

“…Os resultados obtidos até o momento demonstraram a importância da continuidade do monitoramento de elementos traço na RMSP ao longo do tempo com fígados da garça-branca-grande. No entanto, é importante considerar que, as concentrações de elementos traço e os limiares de toxicidade variam entre diferentes espécies e diferentes tecidos [17,18]. Portanto, ocorre a necessidade de incluir novos tecidos de aves para avaliação dos níveis de outros elemento como As, Cr, Ni e Pb, que não foram determinados nas amostras de fígados.…”

Using automated telemetry to identify population connectivity and migration phenology of Snowy Plovers breeding in the Southern Great Plains

“…2017, Ashbaugh et al. 2018). In contrast to Lake A, Lake C, Muleshoe NWR, and Bitter Lake NWR, springs at Lake B are primarily seeps and pools and, despite irrigation pumping, these springs continued to flow during the 2017 and 2018 breeding seasons (Heath‐Acre, pers.…”

“…2011, Duffie 2017, Ashbaugh et al. 2018). No capture efforts were made at Muleshoe NWR because of an apparent small breeding population.…”

Detectability and Abundance of Snowy Plovers at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma

“…Known and potential threats to snowy plovers at Salt Plains NWR include saltcedar invasion (Tamarisk spp. ; Hensley et al 2014), heavy metal contamination (Ashbaugh et al 2018), increased frequency and intensity of flood events (Karl and Knight 1997;USGCRP 2009;Villarini et al 2013), and local habitat degradation due to oil and gas extraction activities (Hensley et al 2014). Saltcedar invades open salt flat areas used by nesting snowy plovers.…”