Impact of 2,3,7,8-TCDD Exposure on Survival, Growth, and Behavior of Ospreys Breeding in Wisconsin, Usa

Abstract

Abstract-Osprey (Pandion halieatus) eggs collected from areas (Castle Rock and Petenwell Flowages) 7 km downstream from two bleached-kraft mill facilities from 1992 to 1996 contained much higher levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (range ϭ 29 to 162 pg/g wet weight, n ϭ 18) than eggs collected from two reference areas upstream (range ϭ below detection limits to 23.8 pg/g, n ϭ 15). Levels in eggs of the remaining planar halogenated hydrocarbon congeners and other nonplanar organochlorines were not statistically different between the contaminated and upstream areas ( p Ͼ 0.05). We placed eggs from the contaminated area into nests at both reference areas (group A) and eggs from the reference areas into nests at the contaminated area (group B). No significant differences in egg hatching or chick fledging rates were observed between these groups and nests left unmanipulated at both reference areas (group C) and the contaminated area (group D). Mass increase rates of chicks differed significantly ( p ϭ 0.03), with the highest rates from group C and the lowest rates from group B. This difference cannot be easily attributed to differences in parental nest attentiveness or food provisioning, which were greater at the contaminated area. We conclude that although current planar halogenated hydrocarbon exposure levels were not affecting hatching and fledging rates, they may have affected chick growth.

Assessment of biological effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons in osprey chicks

“…The overall laboratory hatching success (hatch of all eggs set, including infertiles) of 70% was similar to the field value of 73% reported for reference nests by Woodford et al [6] and was greater than the 43% reported by Wiemeyer et al [4] for unmanipulated eggs. Thus, it appears that collection, transport, and artificial incubation did not have an undue effect on overall hatching rate of osprey eggs.…”

“…In raptor species, reported no‐observable‐adverse‐effect levels are at least 136 ng/kg TEQs for embryo survival in ospreys [6] and 210 ng/kg (Ahlborg et al toxic equivalency factors [34]) in bald eagles [14]. In the present study, mean TEQs calculated on a whole‐egg basis were 82 ng/kg for the entire 38 hatched eggs; concentrations were higher, 126 ng/kg, in five eggs from Castlegar that hatched.…”

“…However, confounding influences from other variables present in the field, such as weather, predators, and food supply, still present difficulties in isolation of mechanisms. Recently, Woodford et al [6] effectively combined a multiyear egg swap experiment with field observations of growth and behavior of ospreys breeding downstream of a pulp mill in Wisconsin, USA. They found no effects of contaminants on hatching or fledging rates but that chicks grew more slowly at the contaminated site.…”

Effects of benzo[a]pyrene on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage in Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) from a creosote-contaminated and reference site

“…On the organism level, loss of mitochondrial integrity would translate to decreased energy production, and therefore decreased energy allocation on growth and reproduction. (Kooijman and Bedaux, 1996; Woodford et al, 1998). Unlike nDNA, which less than 5% is actively transcribed, the entire mtDNA is continuously involved in transcription.…”

Molecular evidence predicts aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand insensitivity in the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrines)

“…From these reports, TCDD and TCDD-like compounds have been found to be highly magnified from fish to osprey eggs (over 30-fold). Previous reports that have indicated the effects of TCDD and TCDDlike chemicals on raptors include studies on osprey chicks in contaminated areas that seem to exhibit signs of wasting syndrome and growth inhibition (Woodford et al 1998). In addition, PCBs have been reported to decrease sperm concentration and semen volume in male American kestrels (Bird et al 1983).…”