PCBs in the Hudson

Limburg, Karin E.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4612-4874-3_4

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 20 publications

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“…Removal of this dam in 1973 led to the downstream transport of PCB-containing sediments. The numerous scientific studies, regulatory proceedings, and restoration activities that have followed this event are amply documented elsewhere ( , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Historic PCB Exposures on the Reproductive Success of the Hudson River Striped Bass Population

Barnthouse¹,

Glaser²,

Young³

2002

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Scientists and regulatory agencies have expressed concern that exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) might be contributing to reductions in the abundance of fish populations exposed to these chemicals. The specific effects of concern involve impairment of fish reproduction, including both reduced egg production and decreased viability of eggs and larvae. We tested hypotheses concerning the effects of PCBs on fish populations using long-term data sets available for the striped bass population of the Hudson River, NY, a population that has long been a subject of regulatory concern because of potential effects of PCB exposures. The data sets examined include both measurements of PCB concentrations in adult female striped bass over the period from 1976 through 1997 and estimates of the numbers of striped bass eggs, larvae, and juveniles produced annually during this same period. We found strong correlations between estimates of the abundance of spawners and the number of eggs and larvae produced by those spawners and also between independent estimates of year-class strength derived from different sampling programs. However, we found no relationships between PCB exposure and any measure of striped bass abundance or reproduction. Although inconsistent with the expected effects of PCB exposures, trends in all measures of striped bass abundance and reproductive success were consistent with the expected effects of striped bass harvest restrictions that were imposed during the 1980s. Our results demonstrate a need for caution in inferring risks to populations in nature from effects observed in laboratory studies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Historic PCB Exposures on the Reproductive Success of the Hudson River Striped Bass Population

Barnthouse¹,

Glaser²,

Young³

2002

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Possible Effects of PCB Contamination on Female Plumage Color and Reproductive Success in Hudson River Tree Swallows

McCarty

Secord

2000

The Auk

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Chemical contaminants in the environment can influence both morphological and behavioral traits. Ornamental traits such as plumage color may be especially valuable in detecting the effects of toxic chemicals in the environment, although they have been little used to date. We examined patterns of plumage color in subadult female Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) breeding in an area on the Hudson River that had high levels of PCB contamination and compared them with specimens from other parts of the species' range and with data from two previous studies of plumage color. Tree Swallows are one of the few species of birds where females, but not males, have a distinctive subadult plumage during their first breeding season. Females from four breeding colonies in contaminated areas had significantly more adult-type blue-green coloring than females from the rest of the species' range. Subadult female plumage color at these sites formed a continuum between the normal dull brown plumage found elsewhere and the blue-green plumage of older females. Among these subadults, more colorful individuals bred earlier, and earlier breeding in turn led to larger clutches. The patterns of plumage anomalies described here are consistent with disruption of the endocrine system resulting in the early expression of an adult trait. This study supports recent suggestions that examining variation in ornamental traits of animals is an efficient means of detecting effects of chemical contaminants in the environment.

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Ecological effects of river ice break‐up: a review and perspective

Scrimgeour¹,

Prowse²,

Culp³

et al. 1994

Freshwater Biology

119

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1. Abiotic disturbances strongly modify spatial and temporal patterns of lotic ecosystem community structure and function. Such effects are produced because disturbances alter organic matter, nutrient and contaminant dynamics and the distribution and abundance of bacterial, algal, macroinvertebrate and fish communities, 2. River ice break-up is a seasonal disturbance in rivers at high altitudes and latitudes world-wide and is characterized, in part, by large increases in current velocity, stage, water temperature, concentrations of suspended materials and substrate scouring. 3. These abiotic factors are likely to have important effects on primary producers, consumers, and food-web dynamics of river biota. Despite the potential importance of river ice break-up on community structure and function, detailed information describing the magnitude of their effects and underlying causal mechanisms is scarce. 4. The objective of this paper is to provide a hydrological and ecological review and perspective on the potential effects of ice break-up on lotic ecosystems. Specifically, the potential importance of break-up on water temperature, river sediments and geomorphology, riverine energy sources, contaminants, and its effects on river biota and food-web dynamics are evaluated.

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PCBs in the Hudson

Cited by 6 publications

References 20 publications

Effects of Historic PCB Exposures on the Reproductive Success of the Hudson River Striped Bass Population

Effects of Historic PCB Exposures on the Reproductive Success of the Hudson River Striped Bass Population

Possible Effects of PCB Contamination on Female Plumage Color and Reproductive Success in Hudson River Tree Swallows

Ecological effects of river ice break‐up: a review and perspective

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