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Rattner BA, Bean TG, Beasley VR, Berny P, Eisenreich KM, Elliott JE, Eng ML, Fuchsman PC, King MD, Mateo R, Meyer CB, O'Brien JM, Salice CJ. Wildlife ecological risk assessment in the 21st century: Promising technologies to assess toxicological effects. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 20:725-748. [PMID: 37417421 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in toxicity testing and the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) for hazard assessment, the ecological risk assessment (ERA) framework for terrestrial wildlife (i.e., air-breathing amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) has remained unchanged for decades. While survival, growth, and reproductive endpoints derived from whole-animal toxicity tests are central to hazard assessment, nonstandard measures of biological effects at multiple levels of biological organization (e.g., molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, organism, population, community, ecosystem) have the potential to enhance the relevance of prospective and retrospective wildlife ERAs. Other factors (e.g., indirect effects of contaminants on food supplies and infectious disease processes) are influenced by toxicants at individual, population, and community levels, and need to be factored into chemically based risk assessments to enhance the "eco" component of ERAs. Regulatory and logistical challenges often relegate such nonstandard endpoints and indirect effects to postregistration evaluations of pesticides and industrial chemicals and contaminated site evaluations. While NAMs are being developed, to date, their applications in ERAs focused on wildlife have been limited. No single magic tool or model will address all uncertainties in hazard assessment. Modernizing wildlife ERAs will likely entail combinations of laboratory- and field-derived data at multiple levels of biological organization, knowledge collection solutions (e.g., systematic review, adverse outcome pathway frameworks), and inferential methods that facilitate integrations and risk estimations focused on species, populations, interspecific extrapolations, and ecosystem services modeling, with less dependence on whole-animal data and simple hazard ratios. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:725-748. © 2023 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnett A Rattner
- US Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Val R Beasley
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Karen M Eisenreich
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - John E Elliott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Margaret L Eng
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Mason D King
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Jason M O'Brien
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Elliott JE, Kesic R, Lee SL, Elliott KH. Temporal trends (1968-2019) of legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in seabird eggs from the northeast Pacific: Is it finally twilight for old POPs? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:160084. [PMID: 36368377 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are known to persist in the marine environment; however, whether concentrations of these POPs have decreased or stabilized from Canada's Pacific coast in recent years is unclear. Here, we examined temporal trends of various legacy POPs in the eggs of five seabird species; two cormorants (Nannopterum auritum and Urile pelagicus), an auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata), a murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), and a storm-petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous), sampled 1968 to 2019 from 23 colonies along the Pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada. The contaminant profile in the eggs of all species and sampling years was dominated by ΣPCBs, followed by ΣDDT (mostly p,p'-DDE), ΣHCH (β-HCH), ΣCHLOR (oxychlordane), and ΣCBz (HCB). ΣOC and ΣPCB concentrations were generally higher in double-crested cormorant eggs than in the other four species. The majority of legacy POPs are either significantly declining (e.g. p,p'-DDE, HCB, HE, oxychlordane, ΣPCBs) or showing no directional change over time (ΣMirex) in the eggs of our monitoring species. Contaminants such as α-HCH, cis- and trans-chlordane, p,p'-DDT, dieldrin, and octachlorostyrene also showed evidence of downward trends, largely influenced by non-detect values during more recent sampling periods. Increasing trends were observed for β-HCH in the eggs of some species; however, mean concentrations eventually returned to early 2000 levels by the end of the study period. Although bulk δ15N and δ13C egg values varied interannually, compound-specific amino acid analyses suggested no major changes in trophic position or baseline food web signature. Temporal trends observed here were comparable to those found in other seabird species and pelagic food webs. As most legacy POPs in our data set were at very low levels in recent years, we support the general consensus that it is indeed the twilight years for old POPs, and we attribute these declines largely to voluntary regulations and international restrictions on the production and use of these compounds, and thus their release into the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Elliott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, 5421 Robertson Rd, Delta, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Robert Kesic
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, 5421 Robertson Rd, Delta, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Sandi L Lee
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, 5421 Robertson Rd, Delta, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Kyle H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte Anne-de-Bellevue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Valters K, Olsson A, Viksne J, Rubene L, Bergman Å. Concentration dynamics of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in blood of growing Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) chicks in the wild. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119330. [PMID: 35483485 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Organochlorine contaminants (OCs) - organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and industrial products and byproducts - are included in different monitoring programmes and surveys, involving various animal species. Fish-eating birds are suitable indicator species for OCs. Adult birds may be difficult to capture, but chicks can be sampled more easily. Blood of birds is a potentially suitable non-destructive matrix for analysis, as OC levels in blood reflect their concentrations in the body. The study was aimed at investigating how age of fast-growing Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) chicks affects contaminant levels in their blood and thus how important is sampling at exact age for biomonitoring purposes. In 1999 on Lake Engure in Latvia whole blood samples of heron chicks were collected at three different time points, with seven and nine days in between the first and second and second and third sampling points, respectively. Twenty-two chicks were sampled at all three times. In total, 102 samples were analysed for 19 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, DDT metabolites - DDE and DDD, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), α-, β-, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), and trans-nonachlor. Total PCB concentrations averaged around 2000 ng/g dry extracted matter (EM). DDE was the dominant individual contaminant (ca. 800 ng/g EM), followed by CB-153, -138, and -118. Most of the other analysed OCs were below 100 ng/g EM. No significant (p > 0.05) differences in OC concentrations were found between the three sampling occasions, except for trans-nonachlor. This means that blood can safely be sampled for biomonitoring purposes during the 17 days' time window. The analysed legacy contaminants may serve as model substances for other persistent organic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlis Valters
- Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Iela 12/1, LV-1048, Riga, Latvia.
| | - Anders Olsson
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Blå Stråket 5, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Janis Viksne
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Institute of Biology, Miera Iela 3, LV-2169, Salaspils, Latvia
| | - Liga Rubene
- State Ltd. "Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre", Maskavas Street 165, Riga, LV-1019, Latvia
| | - Åke Bergman
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
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Krüger SC, Botha A, Bowerman W, Coverdale B, Gore ML, van den Heever L, Shaffer LJ, Smit-Robinson H, Thompson LJ, Ottinger MA. Old World Vultures Reflect Effects of Environmental Pollutants Through Human Encroachment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1586-1603. [PMID: 35673892 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
African wildlife face challenges from many stressors including current and emerging contaminants, habitat and resource loss, poaching, intentional and unintentional poisoning, and climate-related environmental change. The plight of African vultures exemplifies these challenges due to environmental contaminants and other stressors acting on individuals and populations that are already threatened or endangered. Many of these threats emanate from increasing human population size and settlement density, habitat loss from changing land use for agriculture, residential areas, and industry, and climate-related changes in resource availability. Environmental chemicals that are hazardous include legacy chemicals, emerging chemicals of concern, and high-volume-use chemicals that are employed as weed killers and in other agricultural applications. Furthermore, there are differences in risk for species living in close proximity to humans or in areas affected by habitat loss, climate, and industry. Monitoring programs are essential to track the status of nesting pairs, offspring survival, longevity, and lifetime productivity. This is important for long-lived birds, such as vultures, that may be especially vulnerable to chronic exposure to chemicals as obligate scavengers. Furthermore, their position in the food web may increase risk due to biomagnification of chemicals. We review the primary chemical hazards to Old World vultures and the interacting stressors affecting these and other birds. Habitat is a major consideration for vultures, with tree-nesters and cliff-nesters potentially experiencing different risks of exposure to environmental chemicals. The present review provides information from long-term monitoring programs and discusses a range of these threats and their effects on vulture populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1586-1603. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja C Krüger
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Cascades, South Africa
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
| | - Andre Botha
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - William Bowerman
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Brent Coverdale
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Cascades, South Africa
| | - Meredith L Gore
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - L Jen Shaffer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanneline Smit-Robinson
- BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Applied Behavioural Ecological & Ecosystem Research Unit, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Lindy J Thompson
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - Mary Ann Ottinger
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Elliott KH, Braune BM, Elliott JE. Beyond bulk δ 15N: Combining a suite of stable isotopic measures improves the resolution of the food webs mediating contaminant signals across space, time and communities. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 148:106370. [PMID: 33476789 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Top predators are used as indicators of contaminant trends across space and time. However, signals are integrated over complex food webs, and variation in diet may confound such signals. Trophic position, assessed by bulk δ15N, is widely used to infer the variation in diet relevant to contamination, yet a single variable cannot completely describe complex food webs. Thus, we examined relationships across three aquatic systems varying from a single species to a small food web using bulk values from four isotopes and 21 amino acid-specific values. Because variation in baseline ('source') δ15N can confound estimates of trophic position , we calculated trophic position from the difference between δ15Ntrophic (δ15N for amino acids that change with trophic position) and δ15Nsource (δ15N for amino acids that do not change with trophic position). Across all three systems, variation in δ15Nsource explained over half of the variation in bulk δ15N, and stable isotope values that reflected the base of the food web (δ13C, δ18O, δ34S) predicted contaminants as well or better than δ15N-which was supported by a meta-analysis of other studies. In ospreys feeding in lakes, variation in δ15Nsource across space created a spurious relationship between ΣDDT and apparent trophic position, and masked a relationship between ΣPCB and trophic position. In a seabird guild, changes in diet over time obscured temporal variation in contaminants over five decades. In Arctic fish and invertebrates, more accurate trophic magnification factors were calculated using δ15Ntrophic-source. Thus, (1) using δ15Ntrophic-source, instead of bulk δ15N, avoided incorrect conclusions and improved accuracy of trophic magnification factors necessary to assess risk to top predators; and (2) diet assessed with multiple spatial isotopes, rather than δ15N alone, was essential to understand patterns in contaminants across space, time and biological communities. Trophic position was most important for lipophilic 'legacy' contaminants (ΣDDT, ΣPCB) and habitat was most important for other contaminants (ΣPBDE, ΣPFAS, mercury). We argue that the use of amino acid-specific analysis of δ15N alongside 'non-trophic' isotopes should be a core feature of any study that examines the influence of trophic position on chemical pollution, as required for a chemical to be added to international conventions such as the Stockholm Convention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte Anne-de-Bellevue H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - Birgit M Braune
- Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta V4K 3N2, Canada
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Orłowski G, Niedzielski P, Merta D, Pokorny P, Proch J. Quantifying the functional disparity in pigment spot-background egg colour ICP-OES-based eggshell ionome at two extremes of avian embryonic development. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22107. [PMID: 33335140 PMCID: PMC7747640 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79040-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known that a developing avian embryo resorbs micronutrients (calcium and other chemical elements) from the inner layer of the eggshell, inducing thinning and overall changes in the shell’s chemical composition. However, an aspect yet to be explored relates to the local changes in the multi-elemental composition (ionome) of the pigment spot and adjacent background colour regions of eggshells resulting from avian embryogenesis (with respect to two extremes of embryonic growth: the maternal level at the moment of egg laying, and after the completion of embryonic growth). To address this problem, we used inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to establish the elemental profiles of microsamples from the cryptic eggs of Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix, representing the background colour and pigment spot regions of the shell. We then related these to the developmental stage of the eggs (non-embryonated eggs vs. post-hatched eggshells) and their origin (wild vs. captive hens). Our results show an apparent local disparity between the pigment spot and background colour regions in the distribution of chemical elements: most elements tended to be at higher levels in the speckled regions of the shell, these differences becoming less pronounced in post-hatched eggshells. The trends of changes following embryonic eggshell etching between the pigment spot and background colour shell regions were conflicting and varied between the two species. We hypothesized that one potential working explanation for these interspecific differences could be based on the variable composition of elements (mostly of Ca and Mg), which are the result of the varying thickness of the individual shell layers, especially as the relative difference in shell thickness in the pigment spots and background colour regions was less in Black Grouse eggs. Overall, this investigation strongly suggests that egg maculation plays a functional role in the physiological deactivation of trace elements by incorporating them into the less calcified external shell layer but without participating in micronutrient resorption. Our major critical conclusion is that all research involving the chemical analysis of eggshells requires standardized eggshell sampling procedures in order to unify their colouration and embryonic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Orłowski
- Institute for Agricultural and Forest Environment, Polish Academy of Sciences, Bukowska 19, 60-809, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Przemysław Niedzielski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Dorota Merta
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Pedagogical University of Kraków, Podchorążych 2, 30-084, Kraków, Poland
| | - Przemysław Pokorny
- Department of Limnology and Fishery, Institute of Animal Breeding, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chełmońskiego 38C, 51-630, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jędrzej Proch
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
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Travis SC, Pérez-Fuentetaja A, Aga DS. Evidence of continued exposure to legacy persistent organic pollutants in threatened migratory common terns nesting in the Great Lakes. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 144:106065. [PMID: 32891920 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulate in the food web of the Great Lakes ecosystem, causing concern that these chemicals play a role in the decline of avian species such as colonial-nesting waterbirds. In this study, samples from four life stages of the common tern (Sterna hirundo), a threatened species in New York State, were collected post-mortem in the Buffalo-Niagara region (United States). Brains (n = 26) and livers (n =27) were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and the insecticide p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its two metabolites p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD). Detectable concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs were observed in all samples; concentrations of total PCBs ranged from 5.59 to 2,490 ng/g wet weight (ww), total PBDEs ranged from 1.09 to 494 ng/g ww, and DDE metabolites ranged from 0.56 to 637 ng/g ww. Analysis of the primary food source for terns in the Buffalo-Niagara region, emerald shiners (Notropis atherinoides), revealed that all three classes of POPs had similar contaminant profiles in the fish to those in the brains and livers of tern samples. Overall, small chicks contained greater concentrations of pollutants than medium chicks and juveniles, likely from maternal loading to eggs. These results underline the persistence of these legacy contaminants in the Great Lakes, despite their banning, and their biomagnification in threatened species through food web interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven C Travis
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Buffalo, New York, United States
| | - Alicia Pérez-Fuentetaja
- Department of Biology and Great Lakes Center, Buffalo State, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Diana S Aga
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Buffalo, New York, United States.
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Wu Y, Simon KL, Best DA, Bowerman W, Venier M. Novel and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in bald eagle eggs from the Great Lakes region. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 260:113811. [PMID: 32369891 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Decades of large-scale production of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have resulted in their ubiquitous presence in the environment worldwide. Similarly to other persistent and bioaccumulative organic contaminants, some PFASs, particularly the long-chain congeners, can be biomagnified via food webs, making top predators vulnerable to elevated PFAS exposure. In this study, we measured seven classes of PFASs in bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) eggs for the first time. The eggs (n = 22) were collected from the North American Great Lakes in 2000-2012. The ranges of total concentrations of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (∑PFSAs) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (∑PFCAs) were 30.5-1650 and 5.4-216 ng/g wet weight (ww), respectively. In addition to these traditional PFAS compounds, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS; median: 15.7 ng/g ww), perfluoro-4-ethylcyclohexanesulfonic acid (PFECHS; 0.22 ng/g ww), and 8-chloro-perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (Cl-PFOS, detected in wildlife for the first time; 0.53 ng/g ww) were also frequently detected. Bald eagle eggs from breeding areas located less than 8 km from a Great Lake shoreline or tributary had significantly greater total PFAS concentrations (∑PFASs) than those from breeding areas located further than 8 km (p < 0.05). In these samples, ∑PFASs rivalled the total concentration of brominated flame retardants, and were significantly greater than those of several other organic contaminants, such as dechlorane-related compounds, organophosphate esters, and flame retardant metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Kendall L Simon
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Jersey Field Office, Galloway, NJ 08205, USA
| | - David A Best
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-retired, Ecological Services Field Office, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - William Bowerman
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Marta Venier
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
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Fremlin KM, Elliott JE, Green DJ, Drouillard KG, Harner T, Eng A, Gobas FAPC. Trophic magnification of legacy persistent organic pollutants in an urban terrestrial food web. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 714:136746. [PMID: 32041017 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), persist for generations in the environment and often negatively impact endocrine functions in exposed wildlife. Protocols to assess the bioaccumulation potential of these chemicals within terrestrial systems are far less developed than for aquatic systems. Consequently, regulatory agencies in Canada, the United States, and the European Union rely primarily on aquatic information for the bioaccumulation assessment of chemicals. However, studies have shown that some chemicals that are not bioaccumulative in aquatic food webs can biomagnify in terrestrial food webs. Thus, to better understand the bioaccumulative behaviour of chemicals in terrestrial systems, we examined trophic magnification of hydrophobic POPs in an urban terrestrial food web that included an avian apex predator, the Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii). Over 100 samples were collected from various trophic levels of the food web including hawk eggs, songbirds, invertebrates, and berries and analysed for concentrations of 38 PCB congeners, 20 OCPs, 20 PBDE congeners, and 7 other brominated flame retardants listed on the Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan. We determined trophic magnification factors (TMFs) for contaminants that had a 50% or greater detection frequency in all biota samples and compared these terrestrial TMFs to those observed in aquatic systems. TMFs in this terrestrial food web ranged between 1.2 (0.21 SE) and 15 (4.0 SE), indicating that the majority of these POPs are biomagnifying. TMFs of the legacy POPs investigated in this terrestrial food web increased in a statistically significant relationship with both the logarithm of the octanol-air (log KOA) and octanal-water partition (log KOW) coefficients of the POPs. POPs with a log KOA >6 or a log KOW >5 exhibited biomagnification potential in this terrestrial food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M Fremlin
- Simon Fraser University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - John E Elliott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, British Columbia V4K 3N2, Canada; Simon Fraser University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - David J Green
- Simon Fraser University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Kenneth G Drouillard
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, 2990 Riverside Drive West, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Tom Harner
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Air Quality Research Division, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada.
| | - Anita Eng
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Air Quality Research Division, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada.
| | - Frank A P C Gobas
- School of Resource and Environmental Management, Faculty of the Environment, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada; Simon Fraser University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
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10
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Hilbers JP, Hoondert RPJ, Schipper AM, Huijbregts MAJ. Using field data to quantify chemical impacts on wildlife population viability. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 28:771-785. [PMID: 29336512 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution is an important driver of biodiversity loss. Yet, to date, the effects of chemical exposure on wildlife populations have been quantified for only a few species, mainly due to a lack of appropriate laboratory data to quantify chemical impacts on vital rates. In this study, we developed a method to quantify the effects of toxicant exposure on wildlife population persistence based on field monitoring data. We established field-based vital-rate-response functions for toxicants, using quantile regression to correct for the influences of confounding factors on the vital rates observed, and combined the response curves with population viability modelling. We then applied the method to quantify the impact of DDE on three bird species: the White-tailed Eagle, Bald Eagle, and Osprey. Population viability was expressed via five population extinction vulnerability metrics: population growth rate (r1 ), critical patch size (CPS), minimum viable population size (MVP), probability of population extirpation (PE), and median time to population extirpation (MTE). We found that past DDE exposure concentrations increased population extirpation vulnerabilities of all three bird species. For example, at DDE concentrations of 25 mg/kg wet mass of egg (the maximum historic exposure concentration reported in literature for the Osprey), r1 became small (White-tailed Eagle and Osprey) or close to zero (Bald Eagle), the CPS increased up to almost the size of Connecticut (White-tailed Eagle and Osprey) or West Virginia (Bald Eagle), the MVP increased up to approximately 90 (White-tailed Eagle and Osprey) or 180 breeding pairs (Bald Eagle), the PE increased up to almost certain extirpation (Bald Eagle) or only slightly elevated levels (White-tailed Eagle and Osprey) and the MTE became within decades (Bald Eagle) or remained longer than a millennium (White-tailed Eagle and Osprey). Our study provides a method to derive species-specific field-based response curves of toxicant exposure, which can be used to assess population extinction vulnerabilities and obtain critical levels of toxicant exposure based on maximum permissible effect levels. This may help conservation managers to better design appropriate habitat restoration and population recovery measures, such as reducing toxicant levels, increasing the area of suitable habitat or reintroducing individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle P Hilbers
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, NL-6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renske P J Hoondert
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, NL-6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Aafke M Schipper
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, NL-6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark A J Huijbregts
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, NL-6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Hoondert RPJ, Hilbers JP, Hendriks AJ, Huijbregts MAJ. Deriving Field-Based Ecological Risks for Bird Species. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:3716-3726. [PMID: 29484892 PMCID: PMC5863098 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ecological risks (ERs) of pollutants are typically assessed using species sensitivity distributions (SSDs), based on effect concentrations obtained from bioassays with unknown representativeness for field conditions. Alternatively, monitoring data relating breeding success in bird populations to egg concentrations may be used. In this study, we developed a procedure to derive SSDs for birds based on field data of egg concentrations and reproductive success. As an example, we derived field-based SSDs for p, p'-DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure to birds. These SSDs were used to calculate ERs for these two chemicals in the American Great Lakes and the Arctic. First, we obtained field data of p, p'-DDE and PCBs egg concentrations and reproductive success from the literature. Second, these field data were used to fit exposure-response curves along the upper boundary (right margin) of the response's distribution (95th quantile), also called quantile regression analysis. The upper boundary is used to account for heterogeneity in reproductive success induced by other external factors. Third, the species-specific EC10/50s obtained from the field-based exposure-response curves were used to derive SSDs per chemical. Finally, the SSDs were combined with specific exposure data for both compounds in the two areas to calculate the ER. We found that the ERs of combined exposure to these two chemicals were a factor of 5-35 higher in the Great Lakes compared to Arctic regions. Uncertainty in the species-specific exposure-response curves and related SSDs was mainly caused by the limited number of field exposure-response data for bird species. With sufficient monitoring data, our method can be used to quantify field-based ecological risks for other chemicals, species groups, and regions of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske P. J. Hoondert
- Institute
for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle P. Hilbers
- Institute
for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Jan Hendriks
- Institute
for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark A. J. Huijbregts
- Institute
for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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12
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Martin PA, Hughes KD, Campbell GD, Shutt JL. Metals and Organohalogen Contaminants in Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from Ontario, 1991-2008. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 74:305-317. [PMID: 29164278 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-017-0479-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We examined the degree of exposure of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and several organohalogen contaminants and its potential impact on survival of bald eagles in Ontario from 1991 to 2008. Overall, results for 43 dead or dying bald eagles collected in the province indicate that 23% (10/43) of birds died of Pb poisoning and 9% (4/43) died of suspected Hg poisoning. Pb poisoning was diagnosed based on exceedances of toxicity thresholds in liver and kidney and supported by clinical observations, necropsy results, and histology findings when available. Evidence for Hg poisoning in eagles was limited; however, Hg concentrations exceeded the toxicity threshold in kidney. Pb concentrations ranged widely in liver and kidney. Total Hg concentrations were relatively higher in kidney compared with liver and were significantly correlated with selenium (Se) concentrations in both tissues. Concentrations of p,p'-DDE and sum PCBs in livers of 12 bald eagles collected from 2001 to 2004 were likely below concentrations associated with adverse effects. Hepatic concentrations of total polybrominated diphenyl ethers were generally higher in birds collected from southern Ontario compared with northern Ontario. Potential impacts of exposure to these flame retardants and others are not known. Elevated metal exposure appears to influence survivorship and may affect the recovery of bald eagles in the province, particularly in southern Ontario and along the Great Lakes where a disproportionate number of poisoned eagles were collected. Increased efforts are needed to identify sources of exposure and develop measures to reduce metal exposure in this top predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Martin
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada.
| | - K D Hughes
- Broadwing Biological Consulting, 1944 Parkside Drive, Pickering, ON, L1V 3N5, Canada
| | - G D Campbell
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J L Shutt
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 335 River Road, Ottawa, ON, K1V 1C7, Canada
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13
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Champoux L, Boily M. Temporal trends of mercury and organohalogen contaminants in great blue heron eggs from the St. Lawrence River, Québec, Canada, 1991-2011, and relationships with tracers of feeding ecology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 609:1270-1285. [PMID: 28797142 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Since 1991, great blue heron (Ardea herodias) eggs have been collected and analyzed for mercury (Hg), persistent organic contaminants (OCs), brominated and non-brominated flame retardants (FRs) as well as stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N. In the present study, temporal trends of contaminants were analyzed in eggs sampled in four regions along the St. Lawrence River (Quebec, Canada) and inland sites using new and previously published data. Most contaminants declined significantly over time in most regions. Globally, the highest annual change, -17.5%, was found for pp'-DDD, while the smallest annual decline, -0.54%, was observed for Hg. Concentrations of ΣDDT and ΣFR8 (sum of 8 congeners) decreased by -11.6% and -7.3%, respectively. Declines in ΣPCBs differed among regions, from -5.6% in the fluvial section to -14.7% in the inland region. The highest concentration of ΣFR8 was measured in eggs from Grande Ile in the fluvial section of the river in 1996 (2.39μg/g). Stable isotope ratios also showed temporal trends in some regions: δ13C decreased in the fluvial section and increased in Gulf region, while δ15N decreased in the fluvial section and increased in the upper estuary. Significant positive relationships were found between ΣDDT, ΣPCBs and ΣFRs and δ15N and δ13C in freshwater colonies, but not in estuarine or marine colonies. These results suggest that changes in trophic level and foraging areas over time were influential factors with respect to contaminant burden in great blue heron eggs in the fluvial section, but not in the other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Champoux
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, 801-1550 av d'Estimauville, Québec, Québec G1J 0C3, Canada.
| | - Monique Boily
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3P8, Canada
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Alava JJ, Cheung WWL, Ross PS, Sumaila UR. Climate change-contaminant interactions in marine food webs: Toward a conceptual framework. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:3984-4001. [PMID: 28212462 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is reshaping the way in which contaminants move through the global environment, in large part by changing the chemistry of the oceans and affecting the physiology, health, and feeding ecology of marine biota. Climate change-associated impacts on structure and function of marine food webs, with consequent changes in contaminant transport, fate, and effects, are likely to have significant repercussions to those human populations that rely on fisheries resources for food, recreation, or culture. Published studies on climate change-contaminant interactions with a focus on food web bioaccumulation were systematically reviewed to explore how climate change and ocean acidification may impact contaminant levels in marine food webs. We propose here a conceptual framework to illustrate the impacts of climate change on contaminant accumulation in marine food webs, as well as the downstream consequences for ecosystem goods and services. The potential impacts on social and economic security for coastal communities that depend on fisheries for food are discussed. Climate change-contaminant interactions may alter the bioaccumulation of two priority contaminant classes: the fat-soluble persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as the protein-binding methylmercury (MeHg). These interactions include phenomena deemed to be either climate change dominant (i.e., climate change leads to an increase in contaminant exposure) or contaminant dominant (i.e., contamination leads to an increase in climate change susceptibility). We illustrate the pathways of climate change-contaminant interactions using case studies in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. The important role of ecological and food web modeling to inform decision-making in managing ecological and human health risks of chemical pollutants contamination under climate change is also highlighted. Finally, we identify the need to develop integrated policies that manage the ecological and socioeconomic risk of greenhouse gases and marine pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan José Alava
- Global Fisheries Cluster, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Ocean Pollution Research Program, Coastal Ocean Research Institute, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William W L Cheung
- Global Fisheries Cluster, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peter S Ross
- Ocean Pollution Research Program, Coastal Ocean Research Institute, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - U Rashid Sumaila
- Global Fisheries Cluster, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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15
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Gibbs JP, Rouhani S, Shams L. Scale-dependence in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure effects on waterbird habitat occupancy. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2017; 26:762-771. [PMID: 28444511 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-017-1807-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Spatial scale is rarely considered in population-level assessments of contaminant impacts on wild animals; as a result misinterpretation of the relationship between contaminant exposure and population status may occur. We assessed the strength of expression of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure effects at local vs. regional spatial scales on population status in five species of waterbirds, "bioaccumulators" often promoted as indicators of contaminant effects in aquatic ecosystems. Our focus was the upper Hudson River where PCBs occur at levels reported to have adverse impacts on wild birds. At the local scale, waterbird habitat occupancy was estimated from 220 repeat surveys made between 2001 and 2010 along the same survey route divided into 25 contiguous river segments with markedly different PCB concentrations. At the regional scale, waterbird habitat occupancy in relation to proximity to the upper Hudson River was estimated across 1248 Breeding Bird Atlas survey blocks while controlling for region-wide variation in habitat availability. At the local scale, many associations of habitat and sampling covariates with species detection probabilities were evident but none, including PCB concentration, with habitat occupancy, extinction or colonization of a given river segment. At the regional scale, survey effort and habitat factors not related to PCB exposure were the most important drivers of waterbird occurrence although two species were more likely to occur farther from the contaminated river segment. Spatial scale clearly mediates expression of contaminant impacts on wild bird populations; large-scale, expert-generated databases provide an underused opportunity for better delineating the spatial scales at which population impacts occur and risk assessments should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Gibbs
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, Illick Hall, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, USA.
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16
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Endocrine Disruption and In Vitro Ecotoxicology: Recent Advances and Approaches. IN VITRO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY - CONCEPTS, APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 157:1-58. [DOI: 10.1007/10_2016_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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17
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Mora MA, Durgin B, Hudson LB, Jones E. Temporal and latitudinal trends of p,p'-DDE in eggs and carcasses of North American birds from 1980 to 2005. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2016; 35:1340-1348. [PMID: 26753749 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The use of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) in agriculture in the United States and Canada was prohibited in the early 1970s; however, it continued to be used restrictively in Mexico until 2000. Forty years later, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE), continues to be detected in eggs and bird carcasses in North America. The use of DDE has been associated with reproductive failure of several avian species, primarily through eggshell thinning. To assess the temporal and latitudinal distribution of p,p'-DDE in North America, the authors examined DDE concentrations reported in bird tissues in the scientific literature published between 1980 and 2009. Overall, the majority of supported models suggested that DDE concentrations in birds were greater in the upper mid-latitudes (38°-48°) than in other parts of North America. However, spatial trends of DDE seemed to be influenced by regions with large amounts of data, such as the Great Lakes area. Concentrations of p,p'-DDE in eggs averaged 2.5 μg/g, 3.2 μg/g, and 29.5 μg/g wet weight in 1980 and decreased to 1.64 μg/g, 0.87 μg/g, and 1.01 μg/g wet weight by the mid-2000s for the central, eastern, and western North America regions, respectively. The results indicate that, over time, all DDE residues observed in birds have decreased significantly in North America. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1340-1348. © 2016 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Mora
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Bryce Durgin
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Lacy B Hudson
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Edward Jones
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Espín S, García-Fernández AJ, Herzke D, Shore RF, van Hattum B, Martínez-López E, Coeurdassier M, Eulaers I, Fritsch C, Gómez-Ramírez P, Jaspers VLB, Krone O, Duke G, Helander B, Mateo R, Movalli P, Sonne C, van den Brink NW. Tracking pan-continental trends in environmental contamination using sentinel raptors-what types of samples should we use? ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2016; 25:777-801. [PMID: 26944290 PMCID: PMC4823350 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-016-1636-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Biomonitoring using birds of prey as sentinel species has been mooted as a way to evaluate the success of European Union directives that are designed to protect people and the environment across Europe from industrial contaminants and pesticides. No such pan-European evaluation currently exists. Coordination of such large scale monitoring would require harmonisation across multiple countries of the types of samples collected and analysed-matrices vary in the ease with which they can be collected and the information they provide. We report the first ever pan-European assessment of which raptor samples are collected across Europe and review their suitability for biomonitoring. Currently, some 182 monitoring programmes across 33 European countries collect a variety of raptor samples, and we discuss the relative merits of each for monitoring current priority and emerging compounds. Of the matrices collected, blood and liver are used most extensively for quantifying trends in recent and longer-term contaminant exposure, respectively. These matrices are potentially the most effective for pan-European biomonitoring but are not so widely and frequently collected as others. We found that failed eggs and feathers are the most widely collected samples. Because of this ubiquity, they may provide the best opportunities for widescale biomonitoring, although neither is suitable for all compounds. We advocate piloting pan-European monitoring of selected priority compounds using these matrices and developing read-across approaches to accommodate any effects that trophic pathway and species differences in accumulation may have on our ability to track environmental trends in contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Espín
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland.
| | - A J García-Fernández
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - D Herzke
- FRAM-High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - R F Shore
- NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | - B van Hattum
- Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Deltares, Marine and Coastal Systems, P.O. Box 177, 2600 MH, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - E Martínez-López
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Coeurdassier
- Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 University Bourgogne Franche-Comté/CNRS Usc INRA, 16 Route de Gray, 25030, Besançon Cedex, France
| | - I Eulaers
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Department of Bioscience, Artic Research Centre (ARC), Århus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - C Fritsch
- Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 University Bourgogne Franche-Comté/CNRS Usc INRA, 16 Route de Gray, 25030, Besançon Cedex, France
| | - P Gómez-Ramírez
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - V L B Jaspers
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, EU2-169, Høgskoleringen 5, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - O Krone
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - G Duke
- Centre for the Environment, Oxford University Environmental Change Institute, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - B Helander
- Environmental Research & Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - R Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - P Movalli
- Department of Collections, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Artic Research Centre (ARC), Århus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - N W van den Brink
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, PO Box 8000, NL-6700EA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Elliott JE, Brogan J, Lee SL, Drouillard KG, Elliott KH. PBDEs and other POPs in urban birds of prey partly explained by trophic level and carbon source. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 524-525:157-65. [PMID: 25897724 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
As urban sprawl and agricultural intensification continue to invade prime wildlife habitat, some animals, even apex predators, are managing to adapt to this new environment. Chemical pollution is one of many stressors that wildlife encounter in urban environments. Predators are particularly sensitive to persistent chemical pollutants because they feed at a high trophic level where such pollution is biomagnified. To examine levels of pollution in urban birds of prey in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, we analyzed persistent organic contaminants in adult birds found dead of trauma injury. The hepatic geometric mean concentration of sum polybrominated diphenyl ethers (∑PBDEs) in 13 Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii) from Greater Vancouver was 1873 ng/g (lipid weight) with one bird reaching 197,000n g/g lipid weight, the highest exposure reported to date for a wild bird. Concentrations of ∑PBDEs, ∑PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and, surprisingly, cyclodiene insecticides were greatest in the urban environment while those of DDE (1,1-dichloroethylene bis[p-chlorophenyl) were highest in a region of intensive agriculture. The level of most chlorinated and brominated contaminants increased with trophic level (δ(15)N). The concentrations of some contaminants, PBDEs in particular, in these birds of prey may have some toxicological consequences. Apex predators in urban environments continue to be exposed to elevated concentrations of legacy pollutants as well as more recent brominated pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Elliott
- Environment Canada, Science & Technology Branch, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, British Columbia V4K 3N2, Canada; Department of Biological Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Jason Brogan
- Department of Biological Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Sandi L Lee
- Environment Canada, Science & Technology Branch, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, British Columbia V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Ken G Drouillard
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Kyle H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
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Route WT, Dykstra CR, Rasmussen PW, Key RL, Meyer MW, Mathew J. Patterns and trends in brominated flame retardants in bald eagle nestlings from the upper midwestern United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:12516-24. [PMID: 25272197 DOI: 10.1021/es501859a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We report on patterns and trends in polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the plasma of 284 bald eagle nestlings sampled between 1995 and 2011 at six study areas in the upper Midwestern United States. Geometric mean concentrations of total PBDEs (Σ of nine congeners) ranged from 1.78 ng/mL in the upper St. Croix River watershed to 12.0 ng/mL on the Mississippi River. Lake Superior nestlings fell between these two extremes. Between 2006 and 2011, trends differed among study areas with three declining, two remaining stable, and one increasing. Variation in ΣPBDE trends among study areas was linked to trends in individual congeners. The lower brominated PBDEs (BDE-47, -99, and -100) declined 4-10% while the higher brominated congeners (BDE-153 and -154) increased by about 7.0% annually from 2006 to 2011. This increase was the greatest in nestlings from the St. Croix River and below its confluence with the Mississippi River. Region-wide, our data suggest ΣPBDEs increased in bald eagle nestlings from 1995 through the mid-2000s and then declined by 5.5% annually from 2006 to 2011. These regional trends are consistent with the removal of penta- and octa-PBDEs from the global market.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Route
- U.S. National Park Service , Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring Network, Ashland, Wisconsin 54806, United States
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Odsjö T, Sondell J. Eggshell thinning of osprey (Pandion haliaetus) breeding in Sweden and its significance for egg breakage and breeding outcome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 470-471:1023-1029. [PMID: 24239823 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In the middle of the 1960s low reproductive rate was found in several osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nests in Sweden. Therefore a project was started to investigate the production and to collect unhatched eggs and shell fragments in different regions of Sweden during 1971-2008. Measurements of osprey eggs from museum collections from 1840 to 1970 were included to study long-term changes in shell thickness. In total, eggshell thickness of whole eggs from 666 clutches and of shell fragments from 693 nests was measured. The thinnest shell fragments were recorded in 1973 (mean for 71 clutches: 0.438 mm), minus 15.0% compared to thickness of unaffected eggs before 1946 (0.515 mm). After 1973, shell thickness increased to reach background levels in 2003 (0.515 mm). Thus, it took 30 years to reach full thickness again. From the start of the decrease it took more than 50 years to reach unaffected conditions. The number of whole eggs remaining intact in the nest throughout incubation was reduced when shell thickness decreased. Great loss of eggs due to breakage seems to occur when the mean shell thickness in the clutch was below 0.40 mm. In 1971-1973, when shell thinning was most pronounced, the average thickness of shell fragments was 0.366 mm in nests with 0 intact eggs (minus 29% compared to the pre-1946 background value); 0.393 mm (minus 24%) in nests with 1 intact egg; 0.431 mm (minus 16%) in nests with 2 intact eggs and 0.450 mm (minus 12%) in nests with 3 intact eggs. Differences in thickness were significant for 1 versus 2 intact eggs, 2 vs. 3 intact eggs and for 0+1 vs. 2+3 intact eggs. Actual data from the period 1971-73 shows a decline in the production of young (4-5 weeks) of some 15% (0.25 young per nest).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjelvar Odsjö
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jan Sondell
- Kvismare Bird Observatory, c/o Jan Sondell, Rulleuddsvägen 10, SE-178 51 Ekerö, Sweden.
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Zhang R, Manning GE, Farmahin R, Crump D, Zhang X, Kennedy SW. Relative potencies of aroclor mixtures derived from avian in vitro bioassays: comparisons with calculated toxic equivalents. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:8852-8861. [PMID: 23815337 DOI: 10.1021/es401340t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization toxic equivalency factors (WHO-TEFs) for birds were developed to simplify risk assessments of environmental mixtures of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Under this framework, toxic equivalents (TEQs) are used to represent the toxic potency of DLC mixtures as an equivalent concentration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Recently, a luciferase reporter gene (LRG) assay, measuring aryl hydrocarbon receptor 1 (AHR1)-mediated gene expression, accurately predicted the relative potency of individual polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in different avian species. The study presented here used the LRG assay to predict the relative potency of Aroclors 1016, 1221, 1242, 1248, 1254, and 1260 on induction of LRG activity in cells transfected with chicken, ring-necked pheasant, or Japanese quail AHR1 constructs. LRG assay results were compared to (1) results of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assays conducted in chicken hepatocytes and (2) calculated TEQs from the literature. The relative potencies of Aroclors were similar between the LRG and EROD assays, and bioassay-derived TEQs for the chicken closely resembled calculated TEQs. However, LRG assay-derived TEQs for the Japanese quail construct were 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than calculated TEQs for Aroclors 1254 and 1016. These results suggest that the WHO-TEFs are not representative of relative PCB potency for all avian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University , Nanjing, PR China, 210023
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Alava JJ, Ross PS, Lachmuth C, Ford JKB, Hickie BE, Gobas FAPC. Habitat-based PCB environmental quality criteria for the protection of endangered killer whales (Orcinus orca). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:12655-12663. [PMID: 23098163 DOI: 10.1021/es303062q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The development of an area-based polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) food-web bioaccumulation model enabled a critical evaluation of the efficacy of sediment quality criteria and prey tissue residue guidelines in protecting fish-eating resident killer whales of British Columbia and adjacent waters. Model-predicted and observed PCB concentrations in resident killer whales and Chinook salmon were in good agreement, supporting the model's application for risk assessment and criteria development. Model application shows that PCB concentrations in the sediments from the resident killer whale's Critical Habitats and entire foraging range leads to PCB concentrations in most killer whales that exceed PCB toxicity threshold concentrations reported for marine mammals. Results further indicate that current PCB sediment quality and prey tissue residue criteria for fish-eating wildlife are not protective of killer whales and are not appropriate for assessing risks of PCB-contaminated sediments to high trophic level biota. We present a novel methodology for deriving sediment quality criteria and tissue residue guidelines that protect biota of high trophic levels under various PCB management scenarios. PCB concentrations in sediments and in prey that are deemed protective of resident killer whale health are much lower than current criteria values, underscoring the extreme vulnerability of high trophic level marine mammals to persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan José Alava
- School of Resource and Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
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Roos AM, Bäcklin BMVM, Helander BO, Rigét FF, Eriksson UC. Improved reproductive success in otters (Lutra lutra), grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from Sweden in relation to concentrations of organochlorine contaminants. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2012; 170:268-75. [PMID: 22842056 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We studied indices of reproductive outcome in three aquatic species in relation to organochlorine concentrations during four decades. In female otters, the frequency of signs of reproduction increased after 1990. In grey seals, pregnancy rate increased 1990-2010 and uterine obstructions ceased after 1993. The frequency of uterine tumours was highest 1980-2000. The number of sea eagle nestlings per checked nest increased 1985-2000, while the frequency of desiccated eggs decreased. Organochlorine concentrations decreased at annual rates between 3.5 and 10.2%. The estimated mean concentration (mg/kg lw) for total-PCB decreased from 70 to 8 (otters), from 110 to 15 (seals) and from 955 to 275 (eagles). The corresponding concentrations for ΣDDT decreased from 3.4 to 0.2 (otters), from 192 to 2.8 (seals) and from 865 to 65 (eagles). This study adds evidence to support the hypothesis that PCBs and DDTs have had strong negative effects on the reproduction and population levels of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Roos
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Contaminant Research, Sweden.
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Korsman JC, Schipper AM, Lenders HJR, Foppen RPB, Hendriks AJ. Modelling the impact of toxic and disturbance stress on white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) populations. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2012; 21:27-36. [PMID: 21861166 PMCID: PMC3252495 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-011-0760-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have related breeding success and survival of sea eagles to toxic or non-toxic stress separately. In the present investigation, we analysed single and combined impacts of both toxic and disturbance stress on populations of white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), using an analytical single-species model. Chemical and eco(toxico)logical data reported from laboratory and field studies were used to parameterise and validate the model. The model was applied to assess the impact of ∑PCB, DDE and disturbance stress on the white-tailed eagle population in The Netherlands. Disturbance stress was incorporated through a 1.6% reduction in survival and a 10-50% reduction in reproduction. ∑PCB contamination from 1950 up to 1987 was found to be too high to allow the return of white-tailed eagle as a breeding species in that period. ∑PCB and population trends simulated for 2006-2050 suggest that future population growth is still reduced. Disturbance stress resulted in a reduced population development. The combination of both toxic and disturbance stress varied from a slower population development to a catastrophical reduction in population size, where the main cause was attributed to the reduction in reproduction of 50%. Application of the model was restricted by the current lack of quantitative dose-response relationships between non-toxic stress and survival and reproduction. Nevertheless, the model provides a first step towards integrating and quantifying the impacts of multiple stressors on white-tailed eagle populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C. Korsman
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Aafke M. Schipper
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - H. J. Rob Lenders
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud P. B. Foppen
- SOVON Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, Toernooiveld 1, 6503 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Jan Hendriks
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Elliott KH, Elliott JE, Wilson LK, Jones I, Stenerson K. Density-dependence in the survival and reproduction of Bald Eagles: Linkages to Chum Salmon. J Wildl Manage 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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