Trends in organochlorine contaminants in seabird eggs from Atlantic Canada, 1968--1992
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Sackville, New Brunswick (Canada)
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Hull, Quebec (Canada)
Organochlorine contaminants were measured in eggs of three seabird species from 1968 to 1992 to monitor marine environmental quality and assess possible implications for seabird health. Eggs were collected at four-year intervals from eastern Canadian colonies of double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Leach`s storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) and Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica). DDE and PCB levels have decreased in all species at all colonies since 1972. DDE and PCB levels were higher in the Bay of Fundy and St. Lawrence estuary than off Newfoundland, and were highest in cormorants and lowest in puffins. Hexachlorobenzene levels, in contrast, have not declined steadily since 1972, and are highest in puffins and lowest in cormorants. Temporal, geographic and interspecific trends will be presented for other organochlorines including dieldrin, oxychlordane, hexachlorocyclohexane and mirex. Contaminant patterns and trends will be interpreted, considering the historical use of the contaminants and their fate, the seabirds` foraging habits, and the proximity of colonies to different sources. Implications for seabird health and marine environmental quality will be discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 218474
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The influence of trophic level and feeding location of the levels of organochlorine contaminants in seabird eggs as revealed by stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis
Distribution of organochlorine contaminants in double-crested cormorant eggs and sibling embryos