Radiocesium in migratory aquatic game birds using contaminated U.S. Department of Energy reactor-cooling reservoirs: A long-term perspective

Kennamer, Robert A.; Oldenkamp, Ricki E.; Leaphart, James C.; King, Joshua D.; Bryan, A. Lawrence; Beasley, James C.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.02.022

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…These differences between coot and diving duck 137 Cs levels have been attributed to species differences in diet (Brisbin et al ). However, species differences in residence time using contaminated sites, which is not well understood at this point, has the potential to explain substantial variation (Kennamer et al ); future research in this area is warranted.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pond A and R‐Canal also received 137 Cs‐contaminated effluent. Past work has quantified levels of 137 Cs in SRS cooling reservoir sediments (Whicker et al ), and related levels to those found in a variety of animals, including migratory game birds that can disperse contaminants extensive distances outside SRS boundaries (Brisbin et al , Kennamer et al ).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trace elements and radiocesium in game species near contaminated sites

et al. 2017

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Mercury (Hg), Selenium (Se), and Arsenic (As) found in coal combustion wastes (CCW) and radionuclides released from anthropogenic activities present potential environmental and human health concerns. Despite the widespread harvest and consumption of wildlife by recreational hunters, game species are not subject to the same safety testing as commercially marketed livestock; thus, there are few data available regarding contaminant concentrations in many commonly harvested wildlife. We sampled feral pigs (Sus scrofa; invasive wild pigs), gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), and waterfowl from relatively uncontaminated habitats and areas of contamination to quantify levels of trace elements and radiocesium (137Cs) in muscle and liver tissues for assessment of potential human health risks from the consumption of game. Species collected at a CCW ash basin consistently had levels of selected trace elements, particularly Se, above concentrations considered toxic to waterfowl, suggesting CCW may be an important pathway for wildlife, and subsequently human exposure to this element. Similarly, we observed elevated concentrations of 137Cs in wildlife collected in or near aquatic ecosystems with histories of operational releases of radionuclides. The majority of tissue samples analyzed were below elemental levels known to adversely affect wildlife health and 137Cs levels were below European Economic Community limits for human consumption established following the 1986 Chernobyl accident. Waterfowl, however, had levels of several elements of interest (Se and Hg) that could be of health concern to the birds, especially individuals collected from areas with known contamination, or human consumers of the birds. Given the high levels of trace element burdens we observed in waterfowl collected from ash basins, and the common occurrence of similar surface impoundments throughout much of the globe, wide‐scale sampling for contaminants in waterfowl within or across migratory flyways appear to be greatly needed to better understand routes of contaminant movement and potential areas (or species) with elevated contamination risk to waterfowl and hunters. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Trace elements and radiocesium in game species near contaminated sites

et al. 2017

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“…However, the levels of Hg found in blood never exceeded 0.2 mg/kg (wet wt, calculated from dry to wet ratios in Newman et al, 2011), placing them below background levels in a low-risk category for adverse health effects (Ackerman et al, 2016). Similarly, whole-body 137 Cs activity in our mallards from Fourmile did not exceed whole-body equivalent standards set by the EEC for human consumption (0.324 Bq/g, fresh mass; EEC, 1986) nor did their muscle tissues (0.600 Bq/g, fresh mass) using calculations for tissue moisture conversions from Kennamer et al (2017). While these Hg concentrations and 137 Cs activity found in Fourmile mallards are considered lower risk at the time of our study, there may be seasonal variation in bioavailability not reflected in the present study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Bioaccumulation of Mercury and Radiocesium in Waterfowl Introduced to a Site with Legacy Contamination

Leaphart

Abercrombie

Borchert

et al. 2022

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Despite the propensity of waterfowl species to readily accumulate anthropogenic contaminants within polluted environments, few studies have examined bioaccumulation rates over time when entering such a contaminated site. We examined mercury (Hg) and radiocesium (137Cs) bioaccumulation over time in two waterfowl species released into a wetland system containing legacy contamination on the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Released birds were collected at select time intervals over an exposure period of 94 days. We quantified total Hg concentrations in blood, muscle, and liver tissues, and 137Cs activity in whole‐body and muscle tissues. The relationship between the contaminant burdens of different body tissue types was examined over time. Likely a result of microhabitat selection, mallards in our study readily accumulated both Hg and 137Cs at consistent rates over time within our study system, while ring‐neck ducks did not. The findings demonstrated that whole blood can be used as a robust, nondestructive sampling alternative to estimate Hg burdens within muscle and liver, and whole‐body 137Cs activity is a good predictor of muscle burdens. Understanding such bioaccumulation information in waterfowl is useful for the assessment of the potential health risk in wildlife, as well as being important for human risk assessment toward the consumption of popular game species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2479–2487. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

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“…Our results were also similar to prior studies which found higher concentrations of 137 Cs in Pond B biota compared with Par Pond and elsewhere on the Savannah River Site (Kennamer et al, 1993; Oldenkamp et al, 2017; Paller et al, 1999). Prior studies of biota inhabiting Savannah River Site reservoirs have also shown longer ecological half‐lives of 137 Cs in sunfish (Paller et al, 1999), largemouth bass (Paller et al, 1999), and American coots (Kennamer et al, 2017) inhabiting Pond B compared with Par Pond. More recently, Fulghum et al (2019) found higher concentrations of 137 Cs in fish from Pond B compared with other components of the Par Pond system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Mercury and Radiocesium Accumulation and Associations With Sublethal Endpoints in the Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)

Brown

Haskins

Russell

et al. 2022

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Mercury (Hg) and radiocesium (137Cs) are well‐known environmental contaminants with the potential to impact the health of humans and wildlife. Snakes have several characteristics conducive to studying environmental contamination but have rarely been included in the monitoring of polluted sites. We investigated the bioaccumulation of Hg and 137Cs and associations with sublethal effects (standard metabolic rate [SMR] and hemoparasite infections) in Florida green watersnakes (Nerodia floridana). We captured 78 snakes from three former nuclear cooling reservoirs on the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina (USA). For captured snakes, we (1) determined whole‐body 137Cs, (2) quantified total Hg (THg) using snake tail clips, (3) conducted hemoparasite counts, and (4) measured the SMR. We used multiple regression models to determine associations among snake body size, capture location, sex, tail THg, whole‐body 137Cs, Hepatozoon spp. prevalence and parasitemia, and SMR. Average whole‐body 137Cs (0.23 ± 0.08 Becquerels [Bq]/g; range: 0.00–1.02 Bq/g) was correlated with snake body size and differed significantly by capture site (Pond B: 0.67 ± 0.05 Bq/g; Par Pond: 0.10 ± 0.02 Bq/g; Pond 2: 0.03 ± 0.02 Bq/g). Tail THg (0.33 ± 0.03 mg/kg dry wt; range: 0.16–2.10 mg/kg) was significantly correlated with snake body size but did not differ by capture site. We found no clear relationship between SMR and contaminant burdens. However, models indicated that the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. in snakes was inversely related to increasing whole‐body 137Cs burdens. Our results indicate the bioaccumulation of Hg and 137Cs in N. floridana and further demonstrate the utility of aquatic snakes as bioindicators. Our results also suggest a decrease in Hepatozoon spp. prevalence related to increased burdens of 137Cs. Although the results are intriguing, further research is needed to understand the dynamics between 137Cs and Hepatozoon spp. infections in semiaquatic snakes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:758–770. © 2022 SETAC

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Radiocesium in migratory aquatic game birds using contaminated U.S. Department of Energy reactor-cooling reservoirs: A long-term perspective

Cited by 9 publications

References 30 publications

Trace elements and radiocesium in game species near contaminated sites

Trace elements and radiocesium in game species near contaminated sites

Bioaccumulation of Mercury and Radiocesium in Waterfowl Introduced to a Site with Legacy Contamination

Mercury and Radiocesium Accumulation and Associations With Sublethal Endpoints in the Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)

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