Bird mortality from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. II. Carcass sampling and exposure probability in the coastal Gulf of Mexico

Haney, J. Christopher; Geiger, HJ; Short, J.W.

doi:10.3354/meps10839

Cited by 61 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Exposure probability models in which seabird strandings are assessed as a proportion of at-sea densities may provide more accurate estimations of at-sea mortality [6, 11]. However, to monitor at-sea densities is expensive and logistically challenging, making this unsuitable for developing countries such as Brazil.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We organized and analysed data on seabird strandings and predictive predictor variables at a monthly scale in order to cover a feasible timespan in which seabird deaths at sea could be reflected in beaches due to carcass drift and delayed mortality [6], and to reduce excessive zeroes in data as a consequence of a low number of strandings. Therefore, 11 sampling sites were monitored during 35 months, totalling 385 observations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Seabirds die at sea and their corpses are subsequently deposited along beaches. Since it is impossible to monitor seabird deaths at sea, mortality is evaluated based on carcass deposition patterns along beaches [6, 7]. Carcasses can be easily sampled to investigate the processes associated with mortality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, separating the combined effects of environmental variables, oil pollution and methodological aspects of beach surveys on seabird mortality is a challenging task [21]. Oils spills can affect seabird survival, inducing hypothermia, starvation, drowning or dehydration [6]. In contrast, specific oceanographic and climatic conditions may have contrasting effects on different seabird species [11, 22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Strong winds reduce the ability of diving seabirds to chase food [23], although at the same time, may favour movements among food patches by facilitating energy-efficient flying [24, 25]. Cold nutrient-rich waters that surface during upwelling processes may benefit seabirds by increasing prey availability [7, 26], but may also induce thermoregulatory stress [6, 27]. Overall, the effects of increased frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events on seabirds are complex and remain poorly understood, particularly in tropical areas [4, 28–31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Environmental Predictors of Seabird Wrecks in a Tropical Coastal Area

2016

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Beached bird surveys have been widely used to monitor the impact of oil pollution in the oceans. However, separating the combined effects of oil pollution, environmental variables and methodological aspects of beach monitoring on seabird stranding patterns is a challenging task. The effects of a comprehensive set of oceanographic and climatic variables and oil pollution on seabird strandings in a tropical area of Brazil were investigated herein, using two robust and innovative methods: Generalized Linear Mixed Models and Structural Equation Modeling. We assessed strandings of four resident seabird species along 480 km of beaches divided into 11 sampling areas, between November 2010 and September 2013. We found that increasing the distance from the nearest breeding island reduce the seabird stranding events. Storm activity and biological productivity were the most important factors affecting the stranding events of brown boobies Sula leucogaster, Cabot’s terns Thalasseus acuflavidus and kelp gulls Larus dominicanus. These species are also indirectly affected by warm tropical waters, which reduce chlorophyll-a concentrations. Beach surveys are, thus, useful to investigate the mortality rates of resident species near breeding sites, where individuals are more abundant and exposed to local factors associated with at-sea mortality. In contrast, conservation actions and monitoring programs for far-ranging seabird species are needed in more distant foraging areas. Furthermore, beach monitoring programs investigating the impact of oil pollution on seabirds need to account for the effects of environmental factors on stranding patterns. The present study also demonstrated that seabirds inhabiting tropical coastal waters are sensitive to climate conditions such as adverse weather, which are expected to increase in frequency and intensity in next decades.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Environmental Predictors of Seabird Wrecks in a Tropical Coastal Area

2016

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Wild bird mass mortalities in eastern Canada associated with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus, 2022

Avery‐Gomm,

Barychka,

English

et al. 2024

Ecosphere

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In 2022, a severe outbreak of disease caused by clade 2.3.4.4b Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus resulted in unprecedented mortality among wild birds in eastern Canada. Tens of thousands of birds were reported sick or dead, prompting a comprehensive assessment of mortality spanning the breeding season between April 1 and September 30, 2022. Mortality reports were collated from federal, Indigenous, provincial, and municipal agencies, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, and other nongovernmental organizations, universities, and citizen science platforms. A scenario analysis was conducted to refine mortality estimates, accounting for potential double counts from multiple sources under a range of spatial and temporal overlaps. Correcting for double counting, HPAI is estimated to have caused 40,391 wild bird mortalities in eastern Canada during the spring and summer of 2022; however, this figure underestimates total mortality as it excludes unreported deaths on land and at sea. Seabirds and sea ducks, long‐lived species that are slow to recover from perturbations, accounted for 98.7% of estimated mortalities. Our study provides estimates of bird mortality, with Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus; 25,669), Common Murres (Uria aalge; 8133), and American Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima dresseri; 1894) exhibiting the highest mortality figures. We then compare these mortality estimates with recent population estimates and trends and make an initial assessment of whether biologically meaningful population‐level impacts are possible. Specifically, we focus on the Northern Gannet, a species that has suffered significant global mortality, and two harvested species, Common Murre and American Common Eider, to inform management decisions. Our analysis suggests population‐level impacts in eastern Canada are possible for Northern Gannets and American Common Eiders, but are unlikely for Common Murres. This study demonstrates a comprehensive approach to assessing mortality and underscores the urgent need for further research to understand the broader ecological ramifications of the HPAI outbreak on wild bird populations.

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Photo‐Enhanced Oil Toxicity to Alcid Immune Function

Counihan,

McKenna,

Hebert

et al. 2023

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Oil spills are devastating to seabirds causing high levels of mortality and toxic physiological effects, especially to immune function. Sunlight exposure can further enhance the toxicity of oil to marine species by generating photodegradation products. Photo‐enhanced oil toxicity to marine birds has not been studied. Therefore, the goal of this project was to investigate the toxicity and photo‐enhanced toxicity of oil to lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species production in three alcid species, common murres (Uria aalge), tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata), and horned puffins (Fratercula corniculata). Intrinsic factors (species, age, and sex) had a more significant effect on lymphocyte proliferation than exposure to oil or photoactivated oil. Macrophage phagocytosis was significantly reduced in oil and photoactivated oil treatments, while hydrogen peroxide production was significantly increased. Interestingly, non‐photoactivated oil stimulated significantly more hydrogen peroxide than photoactivated oil. The results of this project suggest that alcid immune function could be variably influenced during an oil spill depending on the species, sex, and age of the bird and the season and level of sunlight exposure.

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Bird mortality from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. II. Carcass sampling and exposure probability in the coastal Gulf of Mexico

Cited by 61 publications

References 57 publications

Environmental Predictors of Seabird Wrecks in a Tropical Coastal Area

Environmental Predictors of Seabird Wrecks in a Tropical Coastal Area

Wild bird mass mortalities in eastern Canada associated with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus, 2022

Photo‐Enhanced Oil Toxicity to Alcid Immune Function

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