Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, trace elements, and monooxygenase activity in birds nesting on the North Platte River, Casper, Wyoming, USA

Abstract

Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) and house wren (Troglodytes aedon) eggs and chicks were collected near a refinery site on the North Platte River, Casper. Wyoming, USA and at a reference site 10 km upstream. Total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in swallow and wren chicks were higher at the refinery site than at the reference site. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in sediment and chick dietary samples were consistent with these findings. The general lack of methylated PAHs in sediment, diet, and bird carcasses suggested that the PAHs were derived from combustion and not from petroleum. The predominance of odd-numbered aliphatic hydrocarbons and the low ratios (< or =0.25) of pristane:n-C17 and phytane:n-C18 in chick and diet samples also suggested that swallow and wren chicks were not being chronically exposed to petroleum. Mean ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase and benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activities in tree swallow livers averaged nine times higher at the refinery site than at the reference site and were probably induced by exposure to PAHs. Trace element concentrations in eggs and livers of swallows and wrens were similar or greater at the reference site than at the refinery site. Selenium, strontium, and boron concentrations were elevated in eggs and livers of swallows and wrens at both the refinery and reference sites.

Exposure and effects of chemical contaminants on tree swallows nesting along the Housatonic River, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA, 1998–2000

“…The concentration of the ⌺ AHs did not differ among sites and averaged 38 g/g wet weight. This was higher than the ⌺ AHs (5-8 g/ g) in tree swallows nesting along the North Platte River (WY, USA) [7], but the meaning of absolute quantities of AHs is unknown.…”

“…None of 43 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in tree swallow carcasses from the Housatonic River indicating a lack of petroleum contamination in the system. This contrasts with an area of known petroleum contamination where PAHs were detected in tree swallow carcasses [7]. Additionally, the profile of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AH), with a preponderance of odd-numbered compared to adjacent evennumbered AHs, also indicates that nestlings were not chronically exposed to oil pollution.…”

“…Mercury concentrations were 3.5 times less, however, than the 2.5 g/g dry weight that has been found to be detrimental to reproduction in birds [53]. Essential trace elements, such as copper, magnesium, and so on, were all at levels comparable to tree swallows nesting elsewhere [6,7].…”

Contaminant Exposure of Barn Swallows Nesting on Bayou D'Inde, Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana, USA

“…They feed near their nest site (Quinney and Ankney, 1985) on emergent insects (Blancher and McNicol, 1991), so residues in their tissues reflect sediment contamination for chemicals that transfer into the biota (Fairchild et al, 1992). Data are available on contaminant levels in swallows at a number of locations in North America for PCBs (Ankley et al, 1993;Bishop et al, 1995;Nichols et al, 1995;Custer et al, 1998Custer et al, , 2003bMcCarty and Secord, 1999), other organochlorines (Shaw, 1983;DeWeese et al, 1985), dioxins, furans (Custer et al, 2003b(Custer et al, , 2005, trace elements (Kraus, 1989;King et al, 1994;Custer et al, 2001Custer et al, , 2003a, and PAHs (Custer et al, 2001).…”

“…Induction of hepatic monooxygenase activity may be an indicator of exposure to PAHs, PCBs, dioxins or furans. A relationship between these organic contaminants and induced monooxygenase activity has been documented in birds in both the laboratory (Trust et al, 1994;Melancon, 1996) and the field (Custer et al, 1998(Custer et al, , 2000(Custer et al, , 2001(Custer et al, , 2005. Flow cytometry was used to detect possible DNA damage.…”