Industrial, Agricultural, and Petroleum Contaminants in Cormorants Wintering near the Houston Ship Channel, Texas, USA

King, Kirke A.; Stafford, Charles J.; Cain, Brian W.; Mueller, Allan J.; Hall, Hi.

doi:10.2307/1521236

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Olivaceous cormorant eggs collected in 1980 and 1981 in Galveston Bay contained mean DDE concentrations of 1,700 and 700 ng/g wet weight, respectively [24]. Similarly, double‐crested cormorant carcasses collected in 1982 and 1983 contained DDE concentrations of 700 and 900 ng/g wet weight, respectively [14]. This suggests that DDE concentrations in birds of Galveston Bay may not have declined as previous data indicated [15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The concentrations of PCBs in olivaceous cormorant eggs from Galveston Bay averaged 3,600 ng/g wet weight in 1980 and 5,000 ng/g wet weight in 1981 [24]. Carcasses of double‐crested cormorants collected during 1982 and 1983 averaged 1,500 ng/g wet weight [14].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Until now, the accumulation and effects of PCDDs and PCDFs on birds nesting in Galveston Bay have not been investigated, and only a few earlier studies have addressed the effects of other POPs, such as pesticides and PCBs [14]. One recent study suggested declines in the concentrations of 1,1,‐dichloro‐2,2‐bis( p ‐chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) and PCBs in birds from Galveston Bay [15]; however, increased exposure to PAHs and genetic damage in black‐crowned night herons ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) from the Houston Ship Channel have been reported [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One recent study suggested declines in the concentrations of 1,1,‐dichloro‐2,2‐bis( p ‐chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) and PCBs in birds from Galveston Bay [15]; however, increased exposure to PAHs and genetic damage in black‐crowned night herons ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) from the Houston Ship Channel have been reported [16]. Double‐crested cormorants ( Phalacrocor‐ax auritus ) from the same area also contained elevated concentrations of polychlorinated styrenes and other aromatic hydrocarbons [14]. Several colonial waterbirds nest on Alexander Island in the Houston Ship Channel, and birds nesting on this island possibly may have greater exposure to halogenated and petroleum hydrocarbons than birds nesting on other islands in Galveston Bay.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Persistent organochlorine pollutants in eggs of colonial waterbirds from Galveston Bay and East Texas, USA

Frank

Mora

Sericano

et al. 2001

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Eggs of neotropic cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), black-crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), and great egrets (Ardea alba) nesting on several locations in Galveston Bay (TX, USA) and at two control sites outside the bay were collected during April-May 1996 and analyzed for chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. Additionally, concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQs) were determined by use of relative potency factors (TEQs) or the H4IIE-luc bioassay TCDD-EQs. Concentrations of 1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) were greater in eggs of neotropic cormorants from Alexander Island (mean = 1,040 ng/g wet wt) in the Houston Ship Channel (Houston, TX, USA) and in those from Telfair Island (mean = 1,460 ng/g wet wt), a reference location outside the bay, than in most locations inside the bay (mean range = 119-453 ng/g wet wt). Mean PCB concentrations were greater in eggs of neotropic cormorants from Alexander Island (mean = 5,720 ng/g wet wt) than in eggs of cormorants from areas farther away from the ship channel, including two reference sites outside the bay (mean range = 404-3,140 ng/g wet wt). The TCDD was the main dioxin congener detected in eggs from all locations within Galveston Bay. Instrumental TEQs in eggs ranged from 67 pg/g wet weight at control sites to 452 pg/g wet weight at Alexander Island. Concentrations of TCDD-EQs determined in the H4IIE assay were correlated with instrumental TEQs and were greater in eggs of cormorants from islands within the bay, although these were farther away from the ship channel. Overall, concentrations of DDE, PCBs, TCDD, and TCDD-EQs were less than the threshold levels known to affect reproduction. However, some eggs contained concentrations of total PCBs or DDE greater than what would elicit adverse effects on birds. No identifiable deformities or abnormalities were detected in embryos collected from all sites.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Persistent organochlorine pollutants in eggs of colonial waterbirds from Galveston Bay and East Texas, USA

Frank

Mora

Sericano

et al. 2001

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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“…A pristane: n ‐C 17 ratio of 3.3 was reported in eggs of mallard ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos ) fed a diet including crude oil for four months [3]. The ratio was elevated in western sandpipers ( Calidris mauri ) collected at oilfield brine discharge sites (2.3 [26]) and double‐crested cormorants ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) collected in the Houston Ship Channel, Houston, Texas, USA (1.6‐3.6 [27]), locations contaminated with petroleum. The pristane: n ‐C 17 ratio was not elevated (0.2) in redhead ducks collected in southern Texas and Louisiana [24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, trace elements, and monooxygenase activity in birds nesting on the North Platte River, Casper, Wyoming, USA

Custer

Dickerson

et al. 2001

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) and house wren (Troglodytes aedon) eggs and chicks were collected near a refinery site on the North Platte River, Casper. Wyoming, USA and at a reference site 10 km upstream. Total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in swallow and wren chicks were higher at the refinery site than at the reference site. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in sediment and chick dietary samples were consistent with these findings. The general lack of methylated PAHs in sediment, diet, and bird carcasses suggested that the PAHs were derived from combustion and not from petroleum. The predominance of odd-numbered aliphatic hydrocarbons and the low ratios (< or =0.25) of pristane:n-C17 and phytane:n-C18 in chick and diet samples also suggested that swallow and wren chicks were not being chronically exposed to petroleum. Mean ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase and benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activities in tree swallow livers averaged nine times higher at the refinery site than at the reference site and were probably induced by exposure to PAHs. Trace element concentrations in eggs and livers of swallows and wrens were similar or greater at the reference site than at the refinery site. Selenium, strontium, and boron concentrations were elevated in eggs and livers of swallows and wrens at both the refinery and reference sites.

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PAHs: An Ecotoxicological Perspective

Douben¹

2003

118

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Industrial, Agricultural, and Petroleum Contaminants in Cormorants Wintering near the Houston Ship Channel, Texas, USA

Cited by 13 publications

References 15 publications

Persistent organochlorine pollutants in eggs of colonial waterbirds from Galveston Bay and East Texas, USA

Persistent organochlorine pollutants in eggs of colonial waterbirds from Galveston Bay and East Texas, USA

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, trace elements, and monooxygenase activity in birds nesting on the North Platte River, Casper, Wyoming, USA

PAHs: An Ecotoxicological Perspective

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