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Contaminant exposure and biomarker responses in spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) from St. Lawrence Island,

K A Trust¹, K T Rummel, A M Scheuhammer

¹U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 605 West 4th Ave., Room G62, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, USA.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

|November 11, 1999

Summary

Elevated metals were found in spectacled eiders, but direct health impacts on adult males were not observed. Contaminants may affect reproduction or young survival, contributing to population declines.

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Area of Science:

Environmental toxicology
Avian ecology
Wildlife health

Background:

Spectacled eider populations are declining in western Alaska.
Chemical contaminant exposure is a suspected factor.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate chemical exposure and potential health effects in spectacled eiders.
To investigate links between contaminants and population declines.

Main Methods:

Collected and analyzed tissues from 20 male spectacled eiders for metals, chlorinated organics, and Cesium-137.
Assessed health using histopathology, porphyrin profiles, cytochrome P450 activity, and metallothionein concentrations.

Main Results:

Elevated copper, cadmium, and selenium levels were detected.
No histopathological lesions were linked to contaminant levels.
Metallothionein levels were lower than predicted despite elevated metals.
Hepatic uroporphyrin correlated with arsenic concentrations.

Conclusions:

Adult male spectacled eiders exhibit elevated metal burdens but appear healthy.
Contaminants may impact fecundity or juvenile survival rather than adult health.
Further research is needed to understand contaminant effects on population dynamics.