Organochlorine accumulation by sentinel mallards at the Winston-Thomas sewage treatment plant, Bloomington, Indiana

Identifying the potential effects of industrially formed wetlands on waterfowl populations is important for assessing the suitability of such wetlands in industrial reclamation strategies. Mallard ducklings were held in situ on two industrially formed wetlands and one reference wetland in northern Alberta, Canada. Duckling mass and skeletal size were measured at regular intervals over 33 d, and blood was collected to investigate the analysis of plasma metabolites (triglyceride and glycerol) as an indicator of physiological condition. In repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate ANOVA, and subsequent multiple-comparisons tests, body mass and skeletal size were significantly lower in ducklings maintained on the industrial wetland after 2, 5, 9, and 13 d of exposure. In this situation, plasma metabolite analysis did not provide additional information on mass-independent condition. We conclude that if the observed differences in growth and size translate into a decreased survival of juvenile waterfowl inhabiting these wetlands, then populations of these birds in the area could be negatively affected. We emphasize the importance of field-based ecological research in toxicological studies of wildlife.

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 74%

Impact of oil‐sands based wetlands on the growth of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings

Gurney

Williams

Smits

et al. 2005

“…The greatest concentration of PCB 77 detected in this study, 1,000 ng/g in an adult tree swallow from the SA13 site, was the highest reported for any bird in the literature. Wet‐weight concentrations of PCB 77 in birds have included 35 ng/g in red‐breasted merganser ( Mergus serrator ) eggs (Lake Michigan, USA, 1990) [23], 42 ng/g in tree swallow eggs (lower Fox River, 1988) [11], 140 ng/g in white‐tailed eagle ( Haliaeetus albicilla ) breast tissue (Poland, 1982) [24], and 229 ng/g in mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) carcasses (Winston‐Thomas sewage treatment plant, Indiana, USA, 1992) [25].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin equivalents in tree swallows from the upper Hudson River, New York State, USA

Secord

McCarty

Echols

et al. 1999

Abstract-The upper Hudson River of New York State, USA, is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as a result of industrial discharges throughout the latter half of this century. In 1994 and 1995, we monitored the transfer of PCBs from aquatic sediments to a terrestrial wildlife community using the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) as a model organism. Tree swallow eggs and nestlings were collected at four colonies established along a 40-km stretch of the upper Hudson River watershed. Samples were analyzed for total PCBs and PCB congeners, including non-ortho-and mono-ortho-substituted PCBs. Mean concentrations of PCBs in tree swallow eggs and nestlings ranged from 721 to 62,200 ng/g and were as much as 15 times greater than PCB concentrations in tree swallow eggs and nestlings collected from PCB-contaminated areas within the Great Lakes ecosystem. The corresponding 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) calculated using avian toxic equivalency factors ranged from 410 to 25,400 pg/g. Concentrations of PCB congener 77 (3,3Ј,4,4Ј-tetrachlorobiphenyl) were extremely elevated and were major contributors to the calculated TEQs. Homologue pattern comparisons between Hudson River and Saginaw River (Michigan, USA) ecosystems supported the hypothesis that a consistent Hudson River PCB source was the major contributor to PCBs in Hudson River tree swallows. The high concentrations of PCBs in Hudson River sediments and resultant concentrations observed in tree swallows were indicative of a potential elevated risk to these and other wildlife linked to the aquatic food web of the Hudson River ecosystem.

“…Eighty percent (12 of 15) exceeded the human consumption guidelines for edible poultry in the United States (>3.0 (xg/g lipid wt [21]). Using a conversion factor from Custer et al [29], 26% would still be above the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's consumption guidelines if only the breast muscle was consumed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organochlorine and trace element contamination in wintering and migrating diving ducks in the southern great lakes, USA, since the zebra mussel invasion

Custer

2000

Abstract-Because of the potential for increased trophic transfer of contaminants by zebra mussels (Dreissena sp.) to higher trophic levels, we collected four species of waterfowl (n ϭ 65 ducks) from four locations in Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Michigan, USA, between 1991 and 1993 for organochlorine contaminant and trace element analyses. Geometric mean concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,pЈ-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) were 1.35 and 0.15 g/g wet weight in lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) carcasses and were below known effect levels. Total PCBs in 80% of carcasses, however, were above the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's threshold of 3.0 g/g lipid weight for consumption of poultry. With the exception of selenium, trace elements were also at background or no-effect levels. Selenium concentrations in livers of 95% of lesser scaup, 90% of bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), and 72% of common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) were in the elevated (Ͼ10 g/g dry wt) or potentially harmful range (Ͼ33 g/g dry wt). The effects of these high selenium concentrations are unknown but should be investigated further based on reproductive effects observed in field and laboratory studies of dabbling ducks and because lesser scaup populations are declining. Concentrations of total PCBs in dreissenid mussels in western Lake Erie were 10 times higher than in the upper Mississippi River but were similar to concentrations in other industrialized rivers in Europe and the United States. Metal concentrations were similar to other industrialized sites where zebra mussels have been sampled.