Patterns of Radiocesium Contamination in Eggs of Free-Ranging Wood Ducks

Kennamer, Robert A.; McCreedy, C.D.; Brisbin, I. Lehr

doi:10.2307/3809071

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…This finding is consistent with previous works where watersnakes have been used to document spatial trends of contamination (Burger et al, 2006; Drewett et al, 2013; Haskins, Brown, Bringolf, et al, 2021). Our results were also similar to prior studies which found higher concentrations of 137 Cs in Pond B biota compared with Par Pond and elsewhere on the Savannah River Site (Kennamer et al, 1993; Oldenkamp et al, 2017; Paller et al, 1999). Prior studies of biota inhabiting Savannah River Site reservoirs have also shown longer ecological half‐lives of 137 Cs in sunfish (Paller et al, 1999), largemouth bass (Paller et al, 1999), and American coots (Kennamer et al, 2017) inhabiting Pond B compared with Par Pond.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Mercury and Radiocesium Accumulation and Associations With Sublethal Endpoints in the Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)

Brown

Haskins

Russell

et al. 2022

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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Mercury (Hg) and radiocesium (137Cs) are well‐known environmental contaminants with the potential to impact the health of humans and wildlife. Snakes have several characteristics conducive to studying environmental contamination but have rarely been included in the monitoring of polluted sites. We investigated the bioaccumulation of Hg and 137Cs and associations with sublethal effects (standard metabolic rate [SMR] and hemoparasite infections) in Florida green watersnakes (Nerodia floridana). We captured 78 snakes from three former nuclear cooling reservoirs on the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina (USA). For captured snakes, we (1) determined whole‐body 137Cs, (2) quantified total Hg (THg) using snake tail clips, (3) conducted hemoparasite counts, and (4) measured the SMR. We used multiple regression models to determine associations among snake body size, capture location, sex, tail THg, whole‐body 137Cs, Hepatozoon spp. prevalence and parasitemia, and SMR. Average whole‐body 137Cs (0.23 ± 0.08 Becquerels [Bq]/g; range: 0.00–1.02 Bq/g) was correlated with snake body size and differed significantly by capture site (Pond B: 0.67 ± 0.05 Bq/g; Par Pond: 0.10 ± 0.02 Bq/g; Pond 2: 0.03 ± 0.02 Bq/g). Tail THg (0.33 ± 0.03 mg/kg dry wt; range: 0.16–2.10 mg/kg) was significantly correlated with snake body size but did not differ by capture site. We found no clear relationship between SMR and contaminant burdens. However, models indicated that the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. in snakes was inversely related to increasing whole‐body 137Cs burdens. Our results indicate the bioaccumulation of Hg and 137Cs in N. floridana and further demonstrate the utility of aquatic snakes as bioindicators. Our results also suggest a decrease in Hepatozoon spp. prevalence related to increased burdens of 137Cs. Although the results are intriguing, further research is needed to understand the dynamics between 137Cs and Hepatozoon spp. infections in semiaquatic snakes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:758–770. © 2022 SETAC

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Mercury and Radiocesium Accumulation and Associations With Sublethal Endpoints in the Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)

Brown

Haskins

Russell

et al. 2022

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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“…Moreover, the current average radiocesium activity concentration in Pond B coots was more than an order of magnitude higher than the average for the most-recent sample of coots taken from the North Arm of Par Pond (1998−99), at 0.092 Bq/g, fresh mass (maximum: 0.22 Bq/g, fresh mass). Our findings were consistent with those of other researchers who observed higher radiocesium activity concentrations in Pond B biota than those found in samples collected at nearby Par Pond (e.g., Potter 1987, Potter et al 1989, Kennamer et al 1993, 1995).…”

Section: Whole-body Radiocesium Uptakesupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Historically, biota from the smaller Pond B impoundment has been 17 -41 times higher in radiocesium content than that of Par Pond (e.g., Potter 1987, Potter et al 1989, Kennamer et al 1993, 1995. Smaller quantities of other radionuclides including 134 Cs (physical half-life [Tp] = 2.06 year) were also discharged into the PPRS during these various release events, but 137 Cs would have been the only easily detected gamma-emitting isotope in biota over the last several decades due to the shorter Tp values and limited extent of releases for these additional gammaemitting radionuclides.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiocesium in migratory aquatic game birds using contaminated U.S. Department of Energy reactor-cooling reservoirs: A long-term perspective

Kennamer

Oldenkamp

Leaphart

et al. 2017

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

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Low-level releases of radiocesium into former nuclear reactor cooling-reservoirs on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, dating primarily to the late 1950s and early 1960s, have allowed examination of long-term contaminant attenuation in biota occupying these habitats. Periodic collections of migratory game birds since the 1970s have documented Cs (radiocesium) activity concentrations in birds of SRS reservoirs, including mainly Par Pond and Pond B. In this study, during 2014 and 2015 we released wild-caught American coots (Fulica americana) and ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) onto Pond B. We made lethal collections of these same birds with residence times ranging from 32 to 173 days to examine radiocesium uptake and estimate the rate of natural attenuation. The two species achieved asymptotic whole-body activity concentrations of radiocesium at different times, with ring-necked ducks requiring almost three times longer than the 30-35 days needed by coots. We estimated ecological half-life (T) for Pond B coots over a 28-yr period as 16.8 yr (95% CI = 12.9-24.2 yr). Pond B coot T was nearly four times longer than T for coots at nearby Par Pond where radiocesium bioavailability had been constrained for decades by pumping of potassium-enriched river water into that reservoir. T could not be estimated from long-term data for radiocesium in Pond B diving ducks, including ring-necked ducks, likely because of high variability in residence times of ducks on Pond B. Our results highlight the importance: (1) for risk managers to understand site-specific bio-geochemistry of radiocesium for successful implementation of countermeasures at contaminated sites and (2) of residence time as a critical determinant of observed radiocesium activity concentrations in highly mobile wildlife inhabiting contaminated habitats.

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“…From September 1991 until December 1994, the reservoir water level was lowered by 6 meters, exposing approximately 520 ha of the lakebed which quickly was colonized by terrestrial herbaceous vegetation. There has been extensive research on patterns of radiocesium contamination in tissues of birds and eggs from the SRS (Potter et al, 1989;Brisbin, 1993;Kennamer et al, 1993;Colwell et al, 1996), but most heavy metals and selenium have not been examined previously in the resident avifauna with the exception of the work of Clay et al (1980). The Jackson collection site (Fig.…”

Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Metal Levels in Mourning Doves from South Carolina: Potential Hazards to Doves and Hunters

Burger

Kennamer

Brisbin

et al. 1997

Environmental Research

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Patterns of Radiocesium Contamination in Eggs of Free-Ranging Wood Ducks

Cited by 14 publications

References 24 publications

Mercury and Radiocesium Accumulation and Associations With Sublethal Endpoints in the Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)

Mercury and Radiocesium Accumulation and Associations With Sublethal Endpoints in the Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)

Radiocesium in migratory aquatic game birds using contaminated U.S. Department of Energy reactor-cooling reservoirs: A long-term perspective

Metal Levels in Mourning Doves from South Carolina: Potential Hazards to Doves and Hunters

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