RP16 Biomonitoring
Thursday, 17 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(RAT-1117-058161) Terrestrial Vertebrate Contaminant Exposure and Effects Data for Mid-Atlantic National Park Service Lands.

Ackerson, Betty¹, Rattner, Barnett¹, McKernan, Moira¹, ¹ USGS-Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, MD, USA

ABSTRACT- The USGS-Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends project determines the effects of contaminants on biota and lands under the protection of the Department of the Interior. As part of this program the Contaminant Exposure and Effects-Terrestrial Vertebrates (CEE-TV) database (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/contaminants-online) was created in 1996 to compile ecotoxicological information and to help identify taxonomic, temporal and spatial data gaps in the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Coasts, Hawaii, Alaska and the Great Lakes Region. Previous analyses of CEE-TV records revealed that 60 of 126 National Park Service (NPS) units in these regions lacked recent (since 1990) contaminant exposure and effects data for terrestrial vertebrates. Currently we are conducting a more in-depth evaluation of contaminant threats and ecotoxicological data gaps for terrestrial vertebrates within or near (10 km) 23 NPS units in National Capital Region and Mid-Atlantic Networks. Contaminant exposure and effects data were compiled from each park unit and 10 km buffer. To identify contaminant threats, data layers from the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory Sites, Fish Consumption Advisories, Section 303(d) Impaired Waterbodies, and USGS Land Use/Land Covers were overlaid onto NPS unit boundaries and their buffers in ArcGIS. Of the 23 park units reviewed, 20 units contained ecotoxicological data for terrestrial vertebrates and 13 units have recent (since 1990) information. Harper's Ferry National Historical Park, Antietam National Battlefield, and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and their respective buffers, are in regions with known water quality problems (e.g., exceed Total Maximum Daily Load for priority organics and metals) and vulnerable to pollution (e.g., >50% agricultural and urban land use). The NPS units that lack recent CEE-TV records and fall within areas of concern should be given priority for future ecotoxicological research and monitoring.

Key words: database, terrestrial vertebrates, National Park Service