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Related Experiment Videos

Selenium toxicosis in wild aquatic birds.

H M Ohlendorf1, A W Kilness, J L Simmons

  • 1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland.

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health
|January 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

Agricultural drainage led to toxic selenium levels in Kesterson Reservoir aquatic birds. This caused severe lesions in adults and congenital malformations in embryos due to food chain accumulation.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Avian Pathology
  • Ecotoxicology

Background:

  • Kesterson Reservoir, part of Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge, experienced severe avian health issues in 1984.
  • Agricultural drainage water was supplied to the reservoir.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cause of severe lesions and congenital malformations in aquatic birds and embryos at Kesterson Reservoir.
  • To determine the role of environmental contaminants in observed avian pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Gross and microscopic examination of adult birds and embryos.
  • Biochemical analysis of avian liver tissues.
  • Measurement of selenium concentrations in avian tissues and comparison with control sites.

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Main Results:

  • Adult birds exhibited emaciation, hepatic lesions, and peritoneal effusion.
  • Embryos displayed multiple congenital malformations, including anophthalmia, amelia, and hydrocephaly.
  • Selenium concentrations in Kesterson bird livers and kidneys were approximately 10 times higher than in control populations.

Conclusions:

  • Selenium from agricultural drainage accumulated in the food chain at Kesterson Reservoir.
  • Elevated selenium concentrations reached toxic levels, causing observed lesions and malformations in aquatic birds.
  • Selenium toxicity is identified as the primary cause of the pathological changes in the Kesterson avian populations.