Organic Chemical Concentrations in Eggs and Nestlings of Cavity Nesting Birds at and around Los Alamos National Laboratory

Journal Article · Tue Feb 13 00:00:00 EST 2018 · Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0525.1000549· OSTI ID:1431062

Gaukler, Shannon M. ^[1]; Hathcock, Charles D. ^[1]; Fair, Jeanne M. ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

In 1943, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was established as part of the Manhattan project to design atomic weapons. LANL now operates as a multidisciplinary research institution. As part of an ongoing assessment of siterelated ecological risk, organochlorine pesticides, their metabolites, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalents (TEQs) were evaluated in western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) eggs relative to a developed but non-industrial reference area; PCBs and TEQs were also evaluated in nestlings. Chemicals were below detection limits in the majority of samples. Western bluebird eggs collected from the study area had significantly lower concentrations of dieldrin, oxychlordane, and trans-nonachlor when compared with eggs from the reference area. No differences were observed in concentrations of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and heptachlor epoxide. Ash-throated flycatcher eggs contained higher total TEQ concentrations when compared with western bluebird eggs; however, no differences in concentrations of DDE, DDT, dieldrin, or total PCBs were observed. No differences were observed in total PCBs or TEQs in nestlings between the two species. Western bluebird eggs contained higher levels of total PCBs and TEQs when compared with nestlings; no differences were observed in total PCBs or TEQs between ash-throated flycatcher eggs and nestlings. Chemical concentrations detected in eggs of both species were below levels that are associated with adverse effects reported in the scientific literature, suggesting that concentrations of organic chemicals observed here appear to be at levels causing negligible risks to local bird populations.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 1431062
• Report Number(s): LA--UR-16-25345
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology Journal Issue: 01 Vol. 08; ISSN 2161-0525
• Publisher: OMICS International
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Biomonitoring
Dioxin equivalents (TEQ)
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)