Observations on PCBs and mercury in common loons (Gavia immer) collected from southwestern Lake Michigan

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Veterinary and Human Toxicology; (USA)

OSTI ID:7090022

Coppock, R W; Ross, S; Reynolds, J D; Somers, J D ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Illinois, Urbana (USA)

The death of common loons (Gavia immer) was associated with a small spill of bunker-C oil off the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. Petroleum oil was not found on the feathers or in the lungs of the birds. Botulinus toxins C and E were found in heart blood. Because the carcasses were autolysed, botulism toxins could have been produced postmortem. An average of 97 micrograms PCBs (Aroclor 1254 standard) and 2.2 micrograms dieldrin/g of body fat also were found. Concentrations of heavy metals in one bird were 0.25 microgram of total mercury and 0.5 microgram of lead/g of liver, respectively. The loons had abundant body fat suggesting they were not debilitated at the time of death.

• OSTI ID: 7090022
• Journal Information: Veterinary and Human Toxicology; (USA), Vol. 32:3; ISSN 0145-6296
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIRDS
SENSITIVITY
LEAD
TOXICITY
MERCURY
OIL SPILLS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
LAKE MICHIGAN
LIVER
METABOLISM
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TOXINS
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ANIMALS
ANTIGENS
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BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GLANDS
GREAT LAKES
HEART
HYDROCARBONS
LAKES
MATERIALS
METALS
MUSCLES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
SURFACE WATERS
TOXIC MATERIALS
VERTEBRATES
020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology