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

Related Subjects

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