Reproductive success, developmental anomalies, and environmental contaminants in double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus)

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620150421· OSTI ID:268031

Larson, J M; Karasov, W H ^[1]; Sileo, L ^[2]; Stromborg, K L ^[3]; Giesy, J P; Jones, P D; Tillitt, D E; Verbrugge, D A ^[4]; Hanbidge, B A

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1. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
2. National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI (United States)
3. Fish and Wildlife Service, Green Bay, WI (United States)
4. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)

To test an association between environmental contaminants and the prevalence of congenital anomalies in colonial waterbirds, the authors collected representative eggs for chemical analysis from double-crested cormorant nests at colonies in Lake Michigan, Wisconsin, USA, and Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba, Canada, and periodically revisited the nests to determine the hatching success, survivorship of hatchlings, and number of deformed hatchlings in the remainder of each clutch. Total concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in eggs were determined by capillary gas chromatography. The combined activity of planar chlorinated hydrocarbons (PCHs) in the eggs was measured in an in vitro bioassay based on the induction of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in rat hepatoma cells. The combined EROD induction activity was expressed as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ). Total concentrations of PCBs and TCDD-EQ were seven to eight times greater in eggs from Lake Michigan (7.8 {micro}g/g and 138 pg/g, respectively) than in those from Lake Winnipegosis (1.0 {micro}g/g and 19 pg/g, respectively). The proportion of eggs hatching at the Lake Michigan colony (59%) was less (p < 0.05) than at Lake Winnipegosis (70%), and the prevalence of hatchlings with deformed bills was greater (p < 0.001) at Lake Michigan (0.79 vs. 0.06%). However, within the Lake Michigan colony, concentrations of PCBs and TCDD-EQ were not correlated with either hatching success or the occurrence of deformities in nestlings.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 268031
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 15; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
BIRDS
CANADA
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
LAKE MICHIGAN
LAKES
OXIDOREDUCTASES
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
REPRODUCTION
TOXICITY
USA
WATER POLLUTION