Mercury and selenium contamination in waterbird eggs and risk to avian reproduction at Great Salt Lake, Utah

Abstract

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...

Toxicity reference values for methylmercury effects on avian reproduction: Critical review and analysis

“…For marsh wrens ( Cistothorus palustris ) and white‐faced ibises ( Plegadis chihi ) breeding at Great Salt Lake (UT, USA), Ackerman et al found statistically significant differences in Hg concentrations between opportunistically collected eggs from abandoned nests and randomly collected eggs from successful nests (termed “surrogate eggs”). However, the difference in Hg concentration in the 2 groups was small (<0.15 mg/kg), and the eggs consistently contained more Se than Hg on a molar basis, which may ameliorate potential Hg‐related effects .…”

A critical evaluation of the utility of eggshells for estimating mercury concentrations in avian eggs

“…We collected 549 eggs from 549 nests of 23 avian species at several locations around Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA, between 10 May and 9 July 2011 (Table ). We visited each nest only once and randomly selected 1 egg for collection as part of a larger study on egg contaminant concentrations around Great Salt Lake . While in the field, we stored eggs in egg cartons on ice.…”

Effects of a century of mining and industrial production on metal contamination of a model saline ecosystem, Great Salt Lake, Utah

“…Biomagnification factors for Se and Hg in brine flies living in oxic environments are modest (Hg -2.2X; Se -1.2X; Wurtsbaugh et al, 2011). Nevertheless, recent analysis of GSL waterfowl revealed that their eggs have Se and Hg levels exceeding toxicity benchmarks or regulatory standards (Ackerman et al, 2015). Additionally, Hg concentrations in three local duck species exceed human dietary thresholds, leading Utah to issue consumption advisories (Utah Department of Environmental Quality, 2019).…”