Organochlorine Residues in Wings of Ducks in South-Eastern Australia.

Olsen, Penny; Settle, H; Swift, Roberta

doi:10.1071/wr9800139

Cited by 20 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In North America, irrigation drainage waters with pollutants have seriously contaminated wetlands (Lemly et al 1993), affecting reproductive success of waterbirds (Ohlendorf et al 1989). In Australia, organochlorines at levels exceeding those recommended for human consumption were prevalent in wings of waterfowl shot in eastern Australia (Olsen et al 1980) but little is known about the impacts of these pesticides on health or reproduction of local waterbirds. Many Straw-necked Ibis chicks died from chlorpyrifos poisoning in 1995 (National Parks, unpublished data) in the Macquarie Marshes although its source was not identified.…”

Section: Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian waterbirds—products of the continent's ecology

Kingsford

Norman

2002

Emu - Austral Ornithology

107

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Abstract. Some aspects of the ecology of 93 waterbird species, found predominantly on freshwater ecosystems, are reviewed. These species, belonging to six major orders -Anseriformes (ducks, geese and Black Swan), Podicipediformes (grebes), Pelecaniformes (Australian Pelican and cormorants), Ciconiiformes (herons, ibis, spoonbills and bitterns), Gruiformes (cranes, rails, crakes and gallinules), and Charadriiformes (waders and terns) -use a wide range of habitats and about half occur throughout the continent. Knowledge of their ecology remains poor for many waterbirds, particularly cryptic and rare species, and is moderate to good for hunted species. Life histories of Australian waterbirds differ from their counterparts elsewhere. Australia's highly variable climate and river-flooding patterns create wetland habitats, the spatial and temporal variability of which strongly influence the ecology of local waterbirds. Many waterbirds respond to newly generated habitats to feed and/or breed and then disperse or die as wetlands dry. Regular movements are not common in most Australian species although some, particularly waders, migrate between Northern Hemisphere breeding grounds and non-breeding habitat in Australia. Breeding of Australian waterbirds coincides with food abundance in the southern spring, the wet season in the tropics and following floods inland. Habitat loss through draining of wetlands, regulation of rivers, diversion of water for irrigation and floodplain development are currently the major threats to waterbirds. Other potentially threatening processes include exotic plants and animals, pollution, climate change and over-harvesting but evidence for the impact of these factors remains poor. Understanding of waterbird, particularly waterfowl, ecology has contributed significantly to the conservation management of wetlands in Australia. Research on single species, studies of movements using satellite technology, further investigation of the effects of hunting, long-term monitoring and large-scale analyses of the availability of wetland habitat should be future research priorities.

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Section: Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian waterbirds—products of the continent's ecology

Kingsford

Norman

2002

Emu - Austral Ornithology

107

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“…High levels of DDT have been found in ducks collected in the Barrenbox Swamp area of the M.I.A. (Olsen et al 1980). Six birds contained traces of endrin.…”

Section: Pesticide Contamination Of Birds In Association With Mouse Pmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pesticide Contamination of Birds in Association with Mouse Plague Control

Saunders¹,

Cooper²

1982

Emu - Austral Ornithology

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“…Among the initial 12 POPs, legacy POPs such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), are the most widely studied in wildlife, having been investigated for several decades (Keswani et al, 2022; Olsen et al, 1980; Ross et al, 2000). For example, in eastern Australia, OCPs were detected in the wings of waterfowl harvested for human consumption in the 1970s, and DDT was found at levels exceeding those recommended for human consumption, which was a “maximum residue limit” of 7 ppm at the time of the study (Olsen et al, 1980). In another study, straw‐necked ibis ( Threskiornis spinicollis ) chicks died from poisoning with chlorpyrifos (a chlorinated pesticide with similar properties to the OCPs) in the 1990s in inland eastern Australia, although its source was not identified (Kingsford & Norman, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Australian Waterbirds

Nzabanita,

Shen,

Grist

et al. 2024

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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There is growing worldwide recognition of the threat posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to wildlife populations. We aimed to measure exposure levels to POPs in a Southern Hemisphere aquatic waterbird species, the nomadic grey teal (Anas gracilis), which is found across Australia. We collected wings from 39 ducks harvested by recreational hunters at two sites (one coastal, one inland) in Victoria, south‐eastern Australia, in 2021. We examined three groups of POPs: nine congeners of polychlorinated bi‐phenyls (PCBs), 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PCBs, OCPs and PAHs were detected at quantifiable levels in 13%, 72%, and 100% of birds, respectively. Of the congeners we tested for in PCBs, OCPs, and PAHs, 33%, 38%, and 100% were detected at quantifiable levels, respectively. The highest levels of exposure to POPs that we found was to the PAH, benzo[b]fluoranthene, occurring at a concentration range of 1.78–161.05 ng/g ww. There were some trends detected relating to differences between geographical sites, with higher levels of several PAHs at the coastal versus inland site. There were several strong, positive associations among PAHs found. We discuss potential sources for the POPs detected, including industrial and agricultural sources, and the likely role of large‐scale forest fires in PAH levels. Our results confirm that while Australian waterbirds are exposed to a variety of POPs, exposure levels are currently relatively low. Additional future investigations are required to further characterize POPs within Australian waterbird species.

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Organochlorine Residues in Wings of Ducks in South-Eastern Australia.

Cited by 20 publications

References 7 publications

Australian waterbirds—products of the continent's ecology

Australian waterbirds—products of the continent's ecology

Pesticide Contamination of Birds in Association with Mouse Plague Control

Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Australian Waterbirds

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