An Exploration of Pesticides in a Lake Michigan Ecosystem

Hickey, Joseph J.; Keith, J. A.; Coon, Francis B.

doi:10.2307/2401453

Cited by 80 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…DDT concentrations ranged up to 43 micrograms/liter (Shapiro, unpub.). Hurlbert (1975) cites data from Keith (1966) showing lethally high concentrations for Daphnia, of DDT in four lake waters and Dortland (1978) cites data of Greve et al (1972) that show that Duch surface waters are perennially contaminated with organophosphorus insecticides at concentrations up to 6 /.Lg/l. Even large lakes may be affected.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Importance of Trophic-Level Interactions to the Abundance and Species Composition of Algae in Lakes

Shapiro

1980

Hypertrophic Ecosystems

123

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The thesis is presented that the quantitative and qualitative responses of water bodies to nutrient inputs are affected greatly by the structures of their biotic communities. Evidence is given to show that in addition to the thesis being correct intuitively, it can be supported by field experiments and by observations even on such well-known lakes as L. Washington, L. Norrviken, L. Trummen, and L. Mendota. Emphasis is on the roles of herbivorous zooplankters in controlling algal blooms and their apparent capacity to bring about the dominance of such algae as Aphanizomenon. It is suggested that, because of the extreme sensitivity of Daphnia to pesticides, agricultural, or other pesticide-containing runoff, is particularly important in bringing about the symptoms of eutrophication.It is proposed that a better understanding of eutrophication would lead to more feasible approaches to lake restoration, and accordingly a shift in emphasis is urged from nutrient studies to those involving trophic-level interactions.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even large lakes may be affected. Organochlorine residues have been found in significant concentrations in the eutrophic Green Bay of lake Michigan (Hickey et al, 1966).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Trophic-Level Interactions to the Abundance and Species Composition of Algae in Lakes

Shapiro

1980

Hypertrophic Ecosystems

123

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The first study of the possible interaction of pesticides with herring gulls (Larus argentatus) was carried out by Keith (1) in 1964 as part of wider investigation of organochlorines in the Lake Michigan ecosystem (2). Keith found that the overall fledging success was low (0.3-0.4 young per nest).…”

Section: Early Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicological Investigations of Pollutant-Related Effects in Great Lakes Gulls

Peakall¹,

Fox²

1987

Environmental Health Perspectives

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Reproductive failure of a number of fish-eating birds was observed on the Great Lakes in the mid-1960s to mid-1970s. The herring gull (Larus argentatus) has been used as the primary monitoring species. The low hatching success observed in this species on Lake Ontario in the mid-1970s was due to loss of eggs and failure of eggs to hatch. Egg exchange experiments demonstrated that this was due both to the incubation behavior of adults and to direct embryotoxic effects. Decrease of nest attentiveness was demonstrated using telemetered eggs, but attempts to reproduce the embryonic effects by injection of pollutant mixtures into eggs were not successful.Reproductive success improved rapidly during the late 1970s and was normal by the end of the decade. Recent studies have focused on cytogenetic and biochemical changes and detailed analytical chemistry of residues. No changes in the rate of sister chromatid exchange over values determined in coastal colonies were observed. Elevation of hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity, levels of highly carboxylated porphyrins, and changes of thyroid function have been found. The geographic pattern of these changes indicates that they are caused by xenobiotics, but it has not been possible to relate the changes to a specific chemical.The objectives of this case study are to examine the toxicological approaches used (both field and laboratory experiments and their interaction) and assess their value as tools for wildlife toxicological investigations. Early StudiesThe first study of the possible interaction of pesticides with herring gulls (Larus argentatus) was carried out by Keith (1) in 1964 as part of wider investigation of organochlorines in the Lake Michigan ecosystem (2). Keith found that the overall fledging success was low (0.3-0.4 young per nest). Embryonic mortality was exceptionally high (30-35%), and chick survival was below normal. Residue levels of DDT and its metabolites were measured, but in this pre-PCB era only the measurement of DDE can be considered reliable (3).In Canada the starting point was a visit in 1970 by Gilbertson to several small, artificial islands off Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, where common terns (Sterna hirundo) were nesting. Gilbertson (4) describes what he saw as follows: "As I wandered about, I soon noticed that something was fundamentally wrong with the colony. While some young of varying age were found in the nests, the eggs in most had failed to hatch. On examining one of these eggs, I found that the young chick had died before it could completely crack open the shell. Several other eggs contained dead embryos. At

show abstract

“…Hickey et al (7) reported evidence of extensive contamination of a portion of Lake Michigan and included the observation that significantly higher residues were concentrated in the higher trophic levels. Keith (8) found evidence of effects on reproduction in herring gulls as a result of poor hatchability of the eggs.…”

Section: Historical Evidence Of Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic Pesticide Pollution in an Aquatic Environment

Johnson

Ball

1972

Advances in Chemistry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The chemical contamination of the Great Lakes exemplifies the serious problems presented by organic pesticide pollution in major aquatic ecosystems. The evidence of DDT pollution in Lake Michigan has developed over the past decade beginning with effects on birds and climaxed by the ban of commercial fish from interstate commerce. Restrictions on the sale or use of fish contaminated by pesticides and mercury has caused significant losses to the local economy. The hazards of chemical contamination in major aquatic ecosystems is probably of much greater significance than pollution of small, localized environments. Our lack of knowledge regarding the fate of chemicals in major aquatic ecosystems has resulted in confusion and poorly defined issues regarding the hazards of chemical contaminants to human health and loss of environmental quality.The past decade has been a period of controversy regarding chemical contamination in our environment. It began with protests against the death of songbirds in local DDT spray programs (1, 2), and it continues now with an urgent concern for rapidly declining species of predatory birds (3). We were warned initially that certain pesticides were a potential hazard to fish and wildlife populations (4), and now we are warned that the global distribution of these compounds threatens the stability and utilization of our marine resources as a human food source (5). Our information on these subjects has often been deficient, but as time has passed, we find increasing evidence of a profound influence of organic chemical pollution on major aquatic ecosystems.The present chemical contamination of our Great Lakes exemplifies the seriousness of this problem, and it emphasizes the vast array of social 1

show abstract

An Exploration of Pesticides in a Lake Michigan Ecosystem

Cited by 80 publications

References 9 publications

The Importance of Trophic-Level Interactions to the Abundance and Species Composition of Algae in Lakes

The Importance of Trophic-Level Interactions to the Abundance and Species Composition of Algae in Lakes

Toxicological Investigations of Pollutant-Related Effects in Great Lakes Gulls

Organic Pesticide Pollution in an Aquatic Environment

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About