U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Nestling Bald Eagles from the ... Stern...Blood samples were examined...
1
Abstract The New Jersey bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) population has rebounded from near extirpation in the early 1970’s to 59 monitored nesting pairs in 2006. Annually, some nesting pairs experience reproductive failures resulting in productivity below the minimum 1.0 fledgling per nest site needed to maintain the population. Environmental contaminants such as PCBs, DDT, and mercury have been implicated as affecting the species reproductive success, impairing behavior, and impacting metabolic functions. Between 1993 and 1996, blood was collected from 35 6 to 8 week old eaglets from around Delaware Bay in New Jersey and Delaware. Blood samples were examined for PCBs, chlorosubstituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, pesticides, and elemental residue levels. The DDT metabolite, p,p’- DDE, was the predominant organochlorine pesticide present and was detected in but one sample with a geometric mean concentration of 12.28 ng/g, and maximum concentration of 141 ng/g. Several eaglets had total PCB blood levels (maximum 395 ng/g) comparable to those in Great Lake subpopulation demonstrating poor reproductive success. Blood contaminant concentrations were compared to published Great Lakes contaminant-productivity regressions. Introduction Environmental contaminants are often suspected in the slow decline of many species. The number of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) inhabiting the Delaware Bay drainage has varied throughout this century. This species has survived despite loss of habitat, persecution, and impaired reproductive ability associated with organic and elemental contaminants. The estimated number of bald eagles in New Jersey after World War II was 22 pairs. By 1972, when DDT use was banned, only one nesting pair remained. Subsequent management actions by the Endangered and Nongame Species Program of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and protection afford under the Endangered Species Act has allowed the New Jersey bald eagle population to steadily increase to 59 monitored nesting pairs in 2006. However, some nesting pairs experienced reproductive failures resulting in annual productivity below the minimum 1.0 fledgling per nest site needed to maintain the population. Eaglet blood contaminant levels have been correlated with reproductive success. Bald eagles nesting in New Jersey are year-round residents and eaglet blood analysis can be an effective gauge of local environmental contamination. This assessment attempts to characterize contaminant blood levels of nestling bald eagles inhabiting the lower Delaware Bay drainage area. Methods • Approximate nest locations are seen in Figure 1. • Blood was collected from 6-8 weeks old eaglets. • Chemical analyzes were performed on whole blood by the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO. • Chemical analyzes included: organochlorine pesticides; all 209 PCB congeners; and dioxin/furan suite. • Dioxin-like equivalency values (TCDD-eq) were calculated using the World Health Organization bird toxic equivalency factors. Results Organochlorine Pesticides • p,p’-DDE was the predominant pesticide present (Table 1). • Maximum p,p’-DDE concentration: 141 ng/g; 12 times the geometric mean and almost 4 times that of any other sample. • A declining p,p’-DDE concentration gradient was observed between the upper and lower Delaware Bay (Figure 1). • Measurable levels of pentachloroanisole (PCA), lindane, and dieldrin were found in all 35 blood samples (Table 1). • Measurable levels of chlordane related contaminants; hexachlorobenzene (HCB), alpha, beta, and delta BHC were found in most samples (Table 1). • Levels of trans-chlordane, endrin, mirex, and methoxychlor were below their respective MDL in all 35 samples. PCBs • PCB 138 was always the dominant congener, followed by PCB 153 and PCB 180. • Geometric mean of the total PCB concentration: 60.85 ng/g. • 95% confidence interval of 48.9 to 75.7 ng/g. • Maximum total PCB concentration of 395 ng/g, 6 times the geometric mean and 3 times that of any other sample. • A declining PCB concentration gradient was observed between the upper and lower Delaware Bay (Figure 1). Non-ortho PCBs and PCDD/DF Geometric mean concentrations, 95% confidence intervals, minimum, median, maximum values, and TCDD-eq are present in Table 2. • The non-ortho PCB concentration gradient seen in 34 of 35 samples was PCB 77 > PCB 126 > PCB 81 > PCB 169; in the remaining sample PCB 77 > PCB 126 > PCB 169 > PCB 81. • PCB 126, PCB 81, and PCB 169 were less than 60, 20, and 10 pg/g, respectively, in all samples. • PCDD/DF TCDD-eq was < 1.5 pg/g in 32 of 35 samples. • PCDD/DF TCDD-eq accounted for < 22% of the total TCDD-eq. Analysis Independent of this study, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife collected bald eagle eggs in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1997 from a Raccoon Creek nest site. Those eggs had elevated levels of p,p’-DDE (geo. mean: 15 ug/g) and PCBs (geo. mean: 43 ug/g) (Clark, et al. 1997) *; levels correlated with reproductive impairment. Comparison of p,p’-DDE and PCBs plasma levels in Delaware Bay eaglets to productivity-contaminant regressions from the Great Lakes (Bowerman, et al. 2003) suggests that the Lower Delaware River and Delaware Bay eagle population may be experiencing reproductive impairment. Taken collectively, additional analyses of historical and contemporary blood contaminant levels and their relationship to bald eagle productivity are warranted. Retrospective Analysis of Productivity and Contaminant Blood Levels U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Nestling Bald Eagles from the Delaware Bay Clay Stern, New Jersey Field Office References Anthony, R. G., M. G. Garrett, and C. A. Schuler. 1993. Environmental contaminants in bald eagles in the Columbia River estuary. J. Wildl. Manage. 57:10-19. Bowerman, W. W., D. A. Best, J. P . Giesy, T. J. Kubiak, and J. G. Sikarskie. 1994. The influence of environmental contaminants on bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus populations in the Laurentain Great Lakes, North America. Pages 703-791 in B. U. Meyberg and R. D. Chancellor, eds., Raptor Conservation Today. The Pica Press, London. Bowerman, W.W., D.A. Best., J.P . Giesy, M.C. Shieldcastle, M.W. Meyer, S. Postupalsky, and J.G. Sikarskie. 2003. Associations between regional differences in polychlorinated biphenyls and diclorodiphenyldichloroethylene in blood of nestling bald eagles and reproductive productivity. Enviro. Chem. Toxicol. 22(2):371-376. Clark, K., L. J. Niles, and W. Stansley. 1998. Environmental contaminants associated with reproductive failure in bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) eggs in New Jersey. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 61:247-254. Colborn, T. 1991. Epidemiology of Great Lakes bald eagles. J. Toxicol. and Environ. Health 33:395-453. Elliott, J. E., R. J. Norstrom, and G. E. Smith. 1996. Patterns, trends, and toxicological significance of chlorinated hydrocarbon and mercury contaminants in bald eagle eggs for the Pacific coast of Canada, 1990-1994. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 31:354-367. Elliott, J. E., I. E. Moul, and K. M. Cheng. 1998. Variable reproductive success of bald eagles on the British Columbia coast. J. Wildl. Manage. 62:518-529. Elliott, J. E., and R. J. Norstrom. 1998. Chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants and productivity of bald eagle populations on the Pacific coast of Canada. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 17:1142-1153. Frenzel, R. W., and R. G. Anthony. 1989. Relationship of diets and environmental contaminants in wintering bald eagles. J. Wildl. Manage. 53(3):792-802. Herbert, C. E. and K. A. Keenleyside. 1995. To normalize or not to normalize? Fat is the question. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 14:801-808. Heinz, G. H., G.W. Pendleton, A. J. Krynitsky, and L. G. Gold. 1990. Selenium accumulation and elimination in mallards. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 19:374-379. Kozie, K. D. and R. K. Anderson. 1991. Productivity, diet, and environmental contaminants in bald eagles nesting near the Wisconsin shoreline of Lake Superior. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 20:706-727. Niles, L. J. 1989. Management of the bald eagle in New Jersey. Fed. Aid Proj. No. E-1-13 Report. 10pp. Niles, L. J., K. E. Clark, and D. Ely. 1991. Breeding status of bald eagles in New Jersey. Rec. N. J. Birds 17(1):2-5. Phillips, D. L., J. L. Pirkle, V. W. Burse, J. T. Bernert, L. O. Henderson, and L. L. Needham. 1989. Chlorinated hydrocarbon levels in human serum: effects of fasting and feeding. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18: 495-500. U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1994. Contaminant burdens and reproductive rates of bald eagles breeding in Maine. Maine Field Office, Old Town. U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service and New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife. 1995. Evaluation of contaminant residues in Delaware Bay bald eagle nestlings. New Jersey Field Office, Pleasantville and Endangered and Nongame Species Program, Trenton. Van den Berg M., L. Birnbaum, A. T. C. Bosveld, B. Brunstr¨om, P . Cook, M. Feeley, J. P . Giesy, A. Hanberg, R. Hasegawa, S. W. Kennedy, T. Kubiak, J. C. Larsen, F. X. van Leeuwen, A. K. Liem, C. Nolt, R. E. Peterson, L. Poellinger, S. Safe, D. Schrenk, D. Tillitt, M. Tysklind, M. Younes, F. Waern, and T. Zacharewski. 1998. Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for humans and wildlife. Environ. Health Perspec. 106:775-792. Wiemeyer, S.N., T. G. Lamont, C. M. Bunk, C. R. Sindelar, F. J. Gramlich, J. D. Fraser, and M. A. Byrd. 1984. Organochlorine pesticides, polychlorobiphenyl, and mercury residues in bald eagle eggs-1969-79-and their relationships to shell thinning and reproduction. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 13:529-549. Wiemeyer, S. N., R. W. Frenzel, R. G. Anthony, B. R. McClelland, and R. L. Knight. 1989. Environmental contaminants in blood of western bald eagles. J. Raptor Res. 23:140-146. Wiemeyer, SN, C.M. Bunck, and C.J. Stafford. 1993. Environmental contaminants in bald eagle eggs - 1980-1984 - and further interpretations of relationships to productivity and shell thickness. Arch. Enviro. Contam. Toxicol. 24:213-227 Acknowledgements The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service acknowledges the collaboration and cooperation of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife – Endangered and Nongame Species Program and the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. Many volunteers provided assistance; their dedication and enthusiasm was greatly appreciated. Funding for the project was provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the New Jersey Endangered Species Conservation Fund Check-off for Wildlife. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Ecological Services New Jersey Field Office 927 North Main Street Pleasantville, New Jersey 08232 P: 609/646 9310 F: 609/646 0352 E: [email protected] W:http://www.fws.gov/northeast/njfieldoffice November 2007 Photo: Ryan Hagerty / USFWS Photo: Dave Menke / USFWS Supawna Meadows NWR Photo: Gene Nieminen / USFWS
Transcript of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Nestling Bald Eagles from the ... Stern...Blood samples were examined...
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AbstractThe New Jersey bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) population has rebounded from near extirpation in the early 1970’s to 59 monitored nesting pairs in 2006. Annually, some nesting pairs experience reproductive failures resulting in productivity below the minimum 1.0 fledgling per nest site needed to maintain the population. Environmental contaminants such as PCBs, DDT, and mercury have been implicated as affecting the species reproductive success, impairing behavior, and impacting metabolic functions. Between 1993 and 1996, blood was collected from 35 6 to 8 week old eaglets from around Delaware Bay in New Jersey and Delaware. Blood samples were examined for PCBs, chlorosubstituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, pesticides, and elemental residue levels. The DDT metabolite, p,p’-DDE, was the predominant organochlorine pesticide present and was detected in but one sample with a geometric mean concentration of 12.28 ng/g, and maximum concentration of 141 ng/g. Several eaglets had total PCB blood levels (maximum 395 ng/g) comparable to those in Great Lake subpopulation demonstrating poor reproductive success. Blood contaminant concentrations were compared to published Great Lakes contaminant-productivity regressions.
IntroductionEnvironmental contaminants are often suspected in the slow decline of many species. The number of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) inhabiting the Delaware Bay drainage has varied throughout this century. This species has survived despite loss of habitat, persecution, and impaired reproductive ability associated with organic and elemental contaminants. The estimated number of bald eagles in New Jersey after World War II was 22 pairs. By 1972, when DDT use was banned, only one nesting pair remained.
Subsequent management actions by the Endangered and Nongame Species Program of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and protection afford under the Endangered Species Act has allowed the New Jersey bald eagle population to steadily increase to 59 monitored nesting pairs in 2006. However, some nesting pairs experienced reproductive failures resulting in annual productivity below the minimum 1.0 fledgling per nest site needed to maintain the population.
Eaglet blood contaminant levels have been correlated with reproductive success. Bald eagles nesting in New Jersey are year-round residents and eaglet blood analysis can be an effective gauge of local environmental contamination. This assessment attempts to characterize contaminant blood levels of nestling bald eagles inhabiting the lower Delaware Bay drainage area.
Methods• Approximate nest locations are seen in Figure 1. • Blood was collected from 6-8 weeks old eaglets. • Chemical analyzes were performed on whole blood by the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, MO.• Chemical analyzes included: organochlorine pesticides; all 209 PCB congeners; and dioxin/furan suite.• Dioxin-like equivalency values (TCDD-eq) were calculated using the World Health Organization bird toxic equivalency factors.
ResultsOrganochlorine Pesticides • p,p’-DDE was the predominant pesticide present (Table 1).• Maximum p,p’-DDE concentration: 141 ng/g; 12 times the geometric mean and almost 4 times that of any other sample.• A declining p,p’-DDE concentration gradient was observed between the upper and lower Delaware Bay (Figure 1).• Measurable levels of pentachloroanisole (PCA), lindane, and dieldrin were found in all 35 blood samples (Table 1).• Measurable levels of chlordane related contaminants; hexachlorobenzene (HCB), alpha, beta, and delta BHC were found in most samples (Table 1).• Levels of trans-chlordane, endrin, mirex, and methoxychlor were below their respective MDL in all 35 samples.
PCBs• PCB 138 was always the dominant congener, followed by PCB 153 and PCB 180.• Geometric mean of the total PCB concentration: 60.85 ng/g.• 95% confidence interval of 48.9 to 75.7 ng/g.• Maximum total PCB concentration of 395 ng/g, 6 times the geometric mean and 3 times that of any other sample.• A declining PCB concentration gradient was observed between the upper and lower Delaware Bay (Figure 1).
Non-ortho PCBs and PCDD/DFGeometric mean concentrations, 95% confidence intervals, minimum, median, maximum values, and TCDD-eq are present in Table 2.
• The non-ortho PCB concentration gradient seen in 34 of 35 samples was PCB 77 > PCB 126 > PCB 81 > PCB 169; in the remaining sample PCB 77 > PCB 126 > PCB 169 > PCB 81.• PCB 126, PCB 81, and PCB 169 were less than 60, 20, and 10 pg/g, respectively, in all samples. • PCDD/DF TCDD-eq was < 1.5 pg/g in 32 of 35 samples.• PCDD/DF TCDD-eq accounted for < 22% of the total TCDD-eq.
AnalysisIndependent of this study, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife collected bald eagle eggs in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1997 from a Raccoon Creek nest site. Those eggs had elevated levels of p,p’-DDE (geo. mean: 15 ug/g) and PCBs (geo. mean: 43 ug/g) (Clark, et al. 1997) *; levels correlated with reproductive impairment. Comparison of p,p’-DDE and PCBs plasma levels in Delaware Bay eaglets to productivity-contaminant regressions from the Great Lakes (Bowerman, et al. 2003) suggests that the Lower Delaware River and Delaware Bay eagle population may be experiencing reproductive impairment. Taken collectively, additional analyses of historical and contemporary blood contaminant levels and their relationship to bald eagle productivity are warranted.
Retrospective Analysis of Productivity and Contaminant Blood Levels
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Nestling Bald Eagles from the Delaware Bay
Clay Stern, New Jersey Field Office
ReferencesAnthony, R. G., M. G. Garrett, and C. A. Schuler. 1993. Environmental contaminants in bald eagles in the Columbia River estuary. J. Wildl. Manage. 57:10-19.
Bowerman, W. W., D. A. Best, J. P. Giesy, T. J. Kubiak, and J. G. Sikarskie. 1994. The influence of environmental contaminants on bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus populations in the Laurentain Great Lakes, North America. Pages 703-791 in B. U. Meyberg and R. D. Chancellor, eds., Raptor Conservation Today. The Pica Press, London.
Bowerman, W.W., D.A. Best., J.P. Giesy, M.C. Shieldcastle, M.W. Meyer, S. Postupalsky, and J.G. Sikarskie. 2003. Associations between regional differences in polychlorinated biphenyls and diclorodiphenyldichloroethylene in blood of nestling bald eagles and reproductive productivity. Enviro. Chem. Toxicol. 22(2):371-376.
Clark, K., L. J. Niles, and W. Stansley. 1998. Environmental contaminants associated with reproductive failure in bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) eggs in New Jersey. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 61:247-254.
Colborn, T. 1991. Epidemiology of Great Lakes bald eagles. J. Toxicol. and Environ. Health 33:395-453.
Elliott, J. E., R. J. Norstrom, and G. E. Smith. 1996. Patterns, trends, and toxicological significance of chlorinated hydrocarbon and mercury contaminants in bald eagle eggs for the Pacific coast of Canada, 1990-1994. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 31:354-367.
Elliott, J. E., I. E. Moul, and K. M. Cheng. 1998. Variable reproductive success of bald eagles on the British Columbia coast. J. Wildl. Manage. 62:518-529.
Elliott, J. E., and R. J. Norstrom. 1998. Chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants and productivity of bald eagle populations on the Pacific coast of Canada. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 17:1142-1153.
Frenzel, R. W., and R. G. Anthony. 1989. Relationship of diets and environmental contaminants in wintering bald eagles. J. Wildl. Manage. 53(3):792-802.
Herbert, C. E. and K. A. Keenleyside. 1995. To normalize or not to normalize? Fat is the question. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 14:801-808.
Heinz, G. H., G.W. Pendleton, A. J. Krynitsky, and L. G. Gold. 1990. Selenium accumulation and elimination in mallards. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 19:374-379.
Kozie, K. D. and R. K. Anderson. 1991. Productivity, diet, and environmental contaminants in bald eagles nesting near the Wisconsin shoreline of Lake Superior. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 20:706-727.
Niles, L. J. 1989. Management of the bald eagle in New Jersey. Fed. Aid Proj. No. E-1-13 Report. 10pp.
Niles, L. J., K. E. Clark, and D. Ely. 1991. Breeding status of bald eagles in New Jersey. Rec. N. J. Birds 17(1):2-5.
Phillips, D. L., J. L. Pirkle, V. W. Burse, J. T. Bernert, L. O. Henderson, and L. L. Needham. 1989. Chlorinated hydrocarbon levels in human serum: effects of fasting and feeding. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18: 495-500.
U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1994. Contaminant burdens and reproductive rates of bald eagles breeding in Maine. Maine Field Office, Old Town.
U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service and New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife. 1995. Evaluation of contaminant residues in Delaware Bay bald eagle nestlings. New Jersey Field Office, Pleasantville and Endangered and Nongame Species Program, Trenton.
Van den Berg M., L. Birnbaum, A. T. C. Bosveld, B. Brunstr¨om, P. Cook, M. Feeley, J. P. Giesy, A. Hanberg, R. Hasegawa, S. W. Kennedy, T. Kubiak, J. C. Larsen, F. X. van Leeuwen, A. K. Liem, C. Nolt, R. E. Peterson, L. Poellinger, S. Safe, D. Schrenk, D. Tillitt, M. Tysklind, M. Younes, F. Waern, and T. Zacharewski. 1998. Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for humans and wildlife. Environ. Health Perspec. 106:775-792.
Wiemeyer, S.N., T. G. Lamont, C. M. Bunk, C. R. Sindelar, F. J. Gramlich, J. D. Fraser, and M. A. Byrd. 1984. Organochlorine pesticides, polychlorobiphenyl, and mercury residues in bald eagle eggs-1969-79-and their relationships to shell thinning and reproduction. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 13:529-549.
Wiemeyer, S. N., R. W. Frenzel, R. G. Anthony, B. R. McClelland, and R. L. Knight. 1989. Environmental contaminants in blood of western bald eagles. J. Raptor Res. 23:140-146.
Wiemeyer, SN, C.M. Bunck, and C.J. Stafford. 1993. Environmental contaminants in bald eagle eggs - 1980-1984 - and further interpretations of relationships to productivity and shell thickness. Arch. Enviro. Contam. Toxicol. 24:213-227
AcknowledgementsThe U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service acknowledges the collaboration and cooperation of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife – Endangered and Nongame Species Program and the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. Many volunteers provided assistance; their dedication and enthusiasm was greatly appreciated. Funding for the project was provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the New Jersey Endangered Species Conservation Fund Check-off for Wildlife.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceEcological ServicesNew Jersey Field Office927 North Main StreetPleasantville, New Jersey 08232
P: 609/646 9310F: 609/646 0352E: [email protected]: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/njfieldoffice
November 2007
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