PW01 Wildlife Toxicology
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Wednesday, 12 November 2003
(PW022) Evaluation of PCB concentrations in European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) eggs and chicks from a Superfund site in Kentucky.
McKernan, M1, Halbrook, R1, 1 Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
ABSTRACT- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are one of the contaminants of concern at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP), Paducah, Kentucky. However, little information about the presence and effects of contaminants in avian species nesting near the plant is known. European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) can be a useful species for contaminants monitoring because they nest readily in manmade nest boxes, and feed in close proximity to the nest during the breeding season. During 2000 and 2001, starling nest boxes were monitored at two contaminated sites at the PGDP [Transformer (Trans), and Drum Mountain (DM)] and at two reference sites [West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area (WKMWA), and Southern Illinois University Wildlife Annex (Annex)]. Data on nest success were recorded until chicks were collected at 15-17 days post-hatch. Aroclor 1260 and the sum of 34 congener (
CB) concentrations were measured in 15-17 day-old chick carcasses. Concentrations were greater at contaminated sites compared to reference sites (P < 0.05) during both years. We also determined PCB concentrations in eggs that were opportunistically collected and in chicks found dead in the nest. Aroclor 1260 and CB concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in eggs and chicks that died prior to 15 days post-hatch from contaminated sites compared to those from reference sites. CB concentrations were greater in chicks that died 0-5 days post-hatch compared to chicks that died after day 11 post-hatch. Similarly, Aroclor 1260 concentrations decreased as the age of chicks increased in samples collected from contaminated sites. Results suggest that a significant portion of PCBs detected in starling chicks may have come from maternal transfer rather than from food ingested while in the nest. While PCB concentrations detected were lower than those associated with adverse effects, managers at the PGDP may want to consider evaluating resident adult starling tissues as a possible source of PCB exposure to offspring or predators. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the starling as an avian model for evaluating the availability of PCBs at contaminated sites.
Key words: Superfund, PCBs, Avian, European starling Sturnus vulgaris