Environmental contaminants in bald eagles in the Columbia River estuary
- Oregon State Univ., Corvallis (United States)
- Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR (United States)
Eggs, blood, and carcasses of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and fish were collected and breeding success of eagles was monitored in the Columbia River estuary, 1980-87, to determine if contaminants were having an effect on productivity. High levels of dichloro diphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were found in eggs, blood from adults, and 2 eagle carcasses. Detectable levels of DDE and PCB's were found in blood of nestlings indicating they were exposed to these contaminants early in life. Increasing concentrations of DDE and PCB's with age also indicated accumulation of these contaminants. Adult eagles also had higher levels of mercury (Hg) in blood than subadults or young indicating accumulation with age. The high levels of DDE and PCB's were associated with eggshell thinning ([bar x] = 10%) and with productivity ([bar x] = 0.56 young/occupied site) that was lower than that of healthy populations (i.e., [ge]1.00 young/occupied site). DDE and PCB's had a deleterious effect on reproduction of bald eagles in the estuary. The role dioxins play in eagle reproduction remains unclear, but concentrations in eagle eggs were similar to those in laboratory studies on other species where dioxins adversely affected hatchability of eggs. Probable source of these contaminants include dredged river sediments and hydroelectric dams, and the proper management of each may reduce the amount of contaminants released into the Columbia River estuary. 46 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6616013
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Wildlife Management; (United States), Vol. 57:1; ISSN 0022-541X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIRDS
LIFE CYCLE
REPRODUCTION
DIOXIN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ESTUARIES
CONTAMINATION
MERCURY
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
COLUMBIA RIVER
DAMS
DREDGING
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EGGS
MANAGEMENT
POPULATIONS
SEDIMENTS
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
ELEMENTS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
METALS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)