Chemical residue content and hatchability of Screech owl eggs (original) (raw)
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Organochlorine Residues, Eggshell Thickness, and Nest Success in Barn Owls from the Chesapeake Bay
Estuaries, 1978
Eggs of barn owls (Tyro alba) were collected from 18 nests in offshore duck blinds on the Maryland side of the lower Potomac River estuary in 1972 and 1973 and analyzed for organochlorine residues. DDE was found in 100% of the clutches, PCBs in 89%, and dieldrin in 78%. Eggshell thickness was inversely correlated with concentrations of DDE, DDD, and dieldrin residues. Six of the 18 clutches had mean DDE residues above 5 ppm, and eggshell thickness in these six clutches was significantly less (P < 0.001) than in the other 12 clutches. The owls produced 1.7 young per active nest in 1973. This rate is slightly below the reproductive rate needed to maintain a stable population. An estimated 15% of the population carried concentrations of organochlorine residues that may have been detrimental to their reproduction. Passerine birds, taken extensively as food by a small proportion of the population, are believed to have been the source of elevated concentrations of organochlorines in these barn owls.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2000
We examined selenium, organophosphorus, and organochlorine pesticide residues in egg, footwash, and feather samples from burrowing owls in three populations in central and southern California. Eggs from all sites contained detectable levels of p,pЈ-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, with the San Joaquin Valley site containing up to 33 g/g (geometric mean x ϭ 7.52). Only low levels of polychlorinated biphenyls were detected, however (geometric mean x ϭ 1.98, n ϭ 2). Selenuim concentrations were low in all samples (geometric mean x ϭ 0.426, n ϭ 20). Eggshells collected in 1996 were 22% thinner than eggs collected prior to 1937. In addition, feather samples contained low levels of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, and footwash samples indicated exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos. Pesticide-use records indicated that one population might also be at risk from applications of aldicarb near nests during the breeding season.
Although it is not our custom to publish preliminary data, especially when the sample size is small, we believe that the subject of environ-mental pollution is of sufficient urgency and interest to readers to do so in this case. .After accepting a position with the Mote Marine Laboratory, but before leaving his pesticide residue laboratory at Cornell University, the senior author made arrangements with local Florida scientists to collect eggs from a few representative fish-eating birds to be analyzed at the Cornell Laboratory. These collections were made during June and July of 1972 along the west coast of Florida (Table 1). The eggs of the Great Blue Heron and the Snowy Egret were collected in Little Sarasota Bay and those of the other species were collected in Charlotte Harbor. Ana-lytical procedures for pesticides have been described by Cade et al. (1971) with details and slight modifications elsewhere (Lincer 1972). Since industrial contaminants called polychlorinated biphenyls ...
Environmental Pollution, 2005
Residues of brominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in 40 eggs of little owls (Athene noctua), a terrestrial top predator from Belgium. The major organohalogens detected were PCBs (median 2600 ng/g lipid, range 786 -23204 ng/g lipid). PCB 153,138/163, 170, 180 and 187 were the predominant congeners and constituted 71% of total sum PCBs. PBDEs were measurable in all samples, but their concentrations were much lower than for PCBs, with a range from 29 -572 ng/g lipid (median 108 ng/g lipid). The most prevalent PBDE congeners in little owl egg samples were BDE 99, 153 and 47. This profile differs from the profile in marine bird species, for which BDE 47 was the dominant congener, suggesting that terrestrial birds may be more exposed to higher brominated BDE congeners than marine birds. The fully brominated BDE 209 could be detected in one egg sample (17 ng/g lipid), which provides evidence that higher brominated BDEs may accumulate in terrestrial food chains. Brominated biphenyl (BB) 153 was determined in all egg samples, with levels ranging from 0.6 -5.6 ng/g lipid (median 1.3 ng/g lipid). Additionally, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) could be identified and quantified in only two eggs at levels of 20 and 50 ng/g lipid. OCPs were present at relatively low concentrations, suggesting a relatively low contamination of the Belgian environment with OCPs (median concentrations of sum DDTs: 826 ng/g lipid, sum chlordanes: 1016 ng/g lipid, sum HCHs: 273 ng/g lipid). Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and octachlorostyrene (OCS) were also found at low median levels of 134 and 3.4 ng/g lipid, respectively. Concentrations of most analytes were significantly higher in eggs from deserted nests in comparison to addled eggs, while eggshell thickness did not differ between deserted and addled eggs. No significant correlations were found between eggshell thickness and the analysed POPs.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2007
Most organochlorine (OC) use has been banned in Spain, but these compounds are persistent and may still adversely affect predatory birds. Data generally are lacking, however. Residues of hexachlorobenzene, ␣-hexachlorocyclohexane, lindane, hexachloro-octahydro-epoxy-dimethanonaphthalene, DDT, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in 22 failed eggs of booted eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) and goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from southeastern Spain; both species are declining in this region. Hexachloro-octahydro-epoxy-dimethanonaphthalene, DDE, and sum PCB congener concentrations were significantly higher in booted eagle than in goshawk eggs, and an inverse relationship was found between shell thickness and DDE concentrations in booted eagles. Organochlorides may have been associated with the failure of some booted eagle eggs, but concentrations in booted eagle and goshawk eggs decreased over the period during which populations have dwindled. Thus, although OCs may be a contributory factor, they are unlikely to be the primary cause of the recent population declines in southeastern Spain.
CONCENTRATION OF CONTAMINANTS IN BREEDING BIRD EGGS FROM THE COLORADO RIVER DELTA, MEXICO
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2006
Organic contaminants (organochlorine [OC], organophosphorus [OP] pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]), and metals (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Se) are a concern to avian health in the Colorado River delta, Mexico. We determined concentrations of contaminants in eggs of three breeding species of birds from the delta (mourning doves [Zenaida macroura], burrowing owls [Athene cunicularia], and marsh wrens [Cistothorus palustris]). We collected 27 eggs of mourning doves, eight eggs of burrowing owls, and 18 eggs of marsh wrens for analyses. Polychlorinated biphenyls, OC, and OP pesticides were analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with an electron capture detector, and metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The non-ortho PCB congeners (PCB 77 and 126) were found in mourning dove and burrowing owl eggs at concentrations in which hatchability can be affected. Mean selenium concentration found in marsh wren eggs (5.6 g/g dry wt) exceeded the level of concern. Arsenic and Cd were found at higher than normal concentrations, Hg concentrations did not exceed the level of concern in any of the species, and Pb concentrations were higher in eggs of species subject to hunting. With the exception of lead, marsh wren eggs contained the highest metal concentrations.
Organochlorine residues in New Jersey osprey eggs
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 1978
New Jersey osprey (Pandion haliaetus) populations declined during the 1950's and 1960's and their reproductive success was also depressed for a number of years. SCBMID (1966) reported on osprey population declines for Cape May County, New Jersey, between 1939 and 1963. PETERSON (1969) reported on similar declines for southern New Jersey, including the Avalon area. HENNY et al. (in prep.) reported a low rate of reproductive success for the area between Sea Isle City and Hereford Inlet in Cape May County for the years 1968 through 1974; the number of occupied nests declined from 44 in 1968 to 28 in 1974. A number of hypotheses have been presented as possible explanations for these decline~, including habitat destruction, human disturbance, a diminished food supply, and the adverse effects of environmental pollutants. We now present data on levels of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in the eggs of New Jersey ospreys, the changes in eggshell thickness, and relate this information to similar data for declining and stable osprey populations in other areas. Methods Osprey eggs were collected from the Barnegat Bay area of New Jersey in 1971 and 1974. Four eggs, each from a different nest, were collected from Island Beach State Park on June 28, 1971, after they failed to hatch. Only two were suitable for residue analysis and measurements of shell thickness. Three eggs from each of five nests were collected during incubation from the same general area on May 2, 1974. These eggs were artificially incubated for an extended period, but they failed to hatch. Only seven eggs from four of the nests were suitable for residue analysis (Table i). Seven eggs from four clutches were also measured for shell thickness; loss and/or disruption of shell membranes prevented accurate shell thickness measurements for the remaining eight eggs. Only three of the eggs collected in 1974 were suitable for both residue analysis and shell thickness measurements.
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2018
Northern Cardinal eggs from six neighborhoods near Washington DC were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. All compounds were detected more frequently and at higher concentrations in more heavily urbanized neighborhoods. DDT (mostly as p,pʹ-DDE) was detected in all neighborhoods. p,pʹ-DDT was typically 0.5-16 ng/g (ww) in most suburban neighborhoods but was not detected (< 0.1 ng/g) in more rural areas; however, p,pʹ-DDT was 127-1130 ng/g in eggs from two suburban Maryland nests and comprised 65.7% of total p,pʹ-DDT isomers in the most contaminated sample, indicating recent exposure to un-weathered DDT. Total chlordane (sum of 5 compounds) was 2-70 ng/g; concentrations were greatest in older suburban neighborhoods. Total PCB (sum of detected congeners) was < 5-21 ng/g. Congener patterns were similar in all neighborhoods and resembled those typical of weathered mixtures. Results indicate that wildlife remains exposed to low concentrations of legacy contaminants in suburban neighborhoods and that cardinal eggs can be used to monitor localized contamination.
Chemosphere, 2015
Bird eggs are often used to measure various pollutants in monitoring programs. In protected species, however, it might only be possible to collect eggs abandoned by the parent birds. In order to assess the appropriateness of abandoned eggs for contaminant monitoring we examined intra-clutch variation in concentrations of 24 halogenated organic pollutants (16 organochlorines [OCs] and 8 brominated flame retardants) in six abandoned tawny owl (Strix aluco) clutches from central Norway. The variation among eggs within a clutch was low for nearly all compounds (intra-class correlation >0.9 both for lipid- and wet weight). This study suggests that abandoned eggs provide a relatively reliable measurement of lipophilic pollutants in clutches of terrestrial raptors such as the tawny owl.