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USGS1987

Selenium in aquatic organisms from subsurface agricultural drainage water, San Joaquin Valley, California

Concentrations of total selenium were high in 1983 in water, sediment, organic detritus, aquatic plants and invertebrates, and mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis ) from Kesterson Reservoir (San Joaquin Valley, California) and the San Luis Drain. Selenium concentrations in biota from the Reservoir and Drain (referred to here collectively as “Kesterson”) exceeded 300 (μg/g dry weight in some samples of algae, submerged rooted plants, chironomids, and mosquitofish, and were as high as 440 μg/g dry weight in decomposing detritus. Overall, selenium concentrations in samples from Kesterson averaged about 100-fold higher than those from the Volta Wildlife Area (here termed “Volta”), a nearby site that does not receive subsurface drainage water. Selenium concentrations generally increased from water to sediment to plants to animals. Spatial (geographic) patterns were observed for selenium concentrations in samples from Kesterson, but not in those from Volta. Higher concentrations were usually measured in samples from the San Luis Drain than from the evaporation ponds that comprise Kesterson Reservoir. At Kesterson, concentrations were usually higher in August than in May. The elevated levels of selenium measured in forage organisms from Kesterson are probably toxic to sensitive consumer animals, and may explain recent observations of dead and deformed embryos in eggs of aquatic birds that nest at the Reservoir. The effects of the selenium on fish living in subsurface agricultural drainage water are still poorly understood.

California↗

USGS1991

Contaminated sediments from tributaries of the Great Lakes: Chemical characterization and carcinogenic effects in medaka ( Oryzias latipes )

Sediments from four inshore industrial sites and a reference site in the Great Lakes were extracted with organic solvents to produce a crude extract, which was separated on alumina into two fractions: predominantly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; and predominantly nitrogencontaining polycyclic aromatic compounds. Crude extracts were redissolved in acetone and analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The acetone-redissolved crude extracts from the four industrialized sites contained 5.6–313.3 μg total polycyclic aromatic compounds/g sediment and 3.0–36.4 μg other compounds/g sediment. In addition to the typical EPA priority pollutants, a substantial amount (228.7 μg/g sediment) of alkyl-polycyclic-aromatic compounds was detected in sediments from one of the industrialized sites. Extracts from the reference site contained 1.55 μg total polycyclic aromatic compounds/ g sediment. Medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) were exposed to multiple pulse doses of acetone-redissolved extracts and fractions. Medaka were also exposed to a known carcinogen, methylazoxymethanol acetate, to verify that chemicals produced tumors in the test fish. Acetone-redissolved extracts and fractions from contaminated sediments were toxic to medaka. Fin erosion and non-neoplastic liver abnormalities were more prevalent in medaka after exposure to acetoneredissolved extracts and fractions from contaminated sediments. Neoplasms previously associated with chemical exposure in wild fishes were induced in medaka exposed to acetone-redissolved extracts and fractions from two of the contaminated sites, but not from the reference site or controls. These findings further support the hypothesis that chemical contaminants in sediments are involved in epizootics of neoplasms in wild fishes at contaminated sites.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS1993

Boron, molybdenum, and selenium in aquatic food chains from the lower San Joaquin River and its tributaries, California

Boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), and selenium (Se) were measured in water, sediment, particulate organic detritus, and in various biota—filamentous algae, net plankton, macroinvertebrates, and fishes—to determine if concentrations were elevated from exposure to agricultural subsurface (tile) drainage during the spring and fall 1987, in the San Joaquin River, California. Concentrations of B and Se, but not Mo, were higher in most samples from reaches receiving tile drainage than in samples from reaches receiving no tile drainage. Maximum concentrations of Se in water (0.025 μg/mL), sediment (3.0 μg/g), invertebrates (14 μg/g), and fishes (17 μg/g) measured during this study exceeded concentrations that are detrimental to sensitive warmwater fishes. Toxic threshold concentrations of B and Mo in fishes and their foods have not been identified. Boron and Mo were not biomagnified in the aquatic food chain, because concentrations of these two elements were usually higher in filamentous algae and detritus than in invertebrates and fishes. Concentrations of Se were lower in filamentous algae than in invertebrates and fishes; however, concentrations of Se in or on detritus were similar to or higher than in invertebrates and fishes. These observations suggest that high concentrations of Se accumulated in invertebrates and fishes through food-chain transfer from Se-enriched detritus rather than from filamentous algae.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS1972

Duck hepatitis virus Interactions with DDT and dieldrin in adult mallards

There has been considerable speculation regarding possible imteractlons within biological systems between synthetic environmental pollutants and infectious disease agents (1-11). This type of interaction has been studied in our laboratory using the mallard, Anas platyrhynchos , as a test species (5,6). Since adult ducks are refractory to the overt manifestations of duck virus hepatitis (DVH) (12) and because duck hepatitis virus (DHV) has a predilection for the liver, the organ responsible for the metabolism of many chemicals, (13) an experiment was undertaken to determine if infection with DHV had any effect on the toxicity to adult mallards of p,p'-DDT or technical grade dieldrin.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS1973

Tests of pesticidal synergism with young pheasants and Japanese quail

Thirteen pairs of chemicals involving 18 pesticides and two polychlorinated biphenyl preparations were each fed for 5 days to Japanese quail or ring-necked pheasant chicks 7 to 16 days of age. Malathion + EPN, and malathion + trichlorofon were moderately synergistic in tests with both species, whereas joint toxicities of the other chemicals tended to be additive. Comparisons with other studies of joint action of pesticides against mammals and insects suggest that the two species of birds tested are less susceptible to synergism than are mammals or insects. The results also suggest that the likelihood of a factor of synergism greater than three in birds is not great.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS1978

The effects of petroleum on different stages of incubation in bird eggs

Artificially incubated mallard eggs were treated externally with 5 μl of No. 2 fuel oil or 5 μl of Southern Louisiana crude oil at various times during the incubation period. Embryos were most sensitive to petroleum during the first 10 days of incubation. Southern Louisiana crude oil was more toxic to mallard embryos than No. 2 fuel oil. Hatching weights of ducklings from treated eggs were usually not different from hatching weights of control ducklings. Petroleum may cause bill abnormalities among embryos exposed to a lethal amount of oil early in incubation, but few external malformations of any kind were observed among survivors of the oil exposure. The breeding effort of colonial aquatic birds would be in the greatest danger from oil contamination when a large portion of the birds are in the early stages of incubation.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS1990

Survival of northern bobwhites in Georgia: Cropland use and pesticides

At the end of 18 weeks during spring and summer in 1986 and 1987, survival was 0.5339 and 0.3709 respectively. Repeated organophosphorus insecticide sprays to crops in 1987 may have significantly reduced survival of bobwhites beyond that seen in 1986 when few pesticides were applied. Cropland use was high; birds were found less than 50% of the time in or less than 100 meters of field edges, thereby increasing their risk of exposure to toxic pesticides.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS1979

Parathion causes secondary poisoning in a laughing gull breeding colony

Use of organophosphate insecticides as replacements for the more persistent organochlorine compounds has increased dramatically in recent years. Organophosphates are desirable for field application because they break down rapidly in the environment and do not persist in animal tissues (Stickel 1974). Nevertheless, certain organophosphates are extremely toxic to wildlife for short periods after application and have caused widespread mortality among exposed animals (Mills 1973, Stickel 1974, 1975, Mendelssohn 1977, and Zinkl et al. 1978).

Texas↗

USGS1979

Uptake of methoxychlor from food and water by the American toad (Bufo americanus)

Various studies (Mulla et al. 1963; Ferguson and Gilbert 1967; Cooke 1973) have examined the effects of pesticides on anuran amphibians, but the routes of contaminant uptake by transformed amphibians have not been evaluated. The need of frogs and toads to imbibe water from natural surface water would seem to make them vulnerable to uptake from this source. Fish are known to accumulate pesticides from both food and water (Jarvinen et al. 1977). Toads are more terrestrial and tend to lose water less readily than most other amphibians (Thorson and Svihla 1943); hence they should he a conservative estimator of the potential for uptake of pesticides from water. Methoxychlor is an analogue of DDT and has been widely used to replace it. It is a good model of many pesticides in current use in its low persistence in animal tissues (Gardner and Bailey 1975), and its long half life in water (Wolfe et al. 1977). It is also suitable for study because of its relatively low toxicity to amphibians (Kaplan and Overpeck 1964) and its easily detected residues. In the present study we measured the accumulation of methoxychlor from food and water in a preliminary evaluation of the two routes of exposure.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS1987

Interactions among dietary minerals, arginine and lysine in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Studies were conducted to determine whether interactions occur among dietary lysine, arginine and monovalent minerals in rainbow trout. In one experiment, rainbow trout fingerlings were fed diets containing three levels of lysine (2.4, 3.1 and 3.8 g per 100 g diet), two levels of arginine (1.7 and 2.5 g per 100 g diet) and two mixtures of Na + K + and Cl in a 3×2×2 factorial design. The mixtures varied in the proportions of cations to anions such that Cl equalled the sum of Na + and K + (cations − anions = 0 mEq/kg diet) in one mixture and exceeded the sum of Na + and K + (cations − anions = −200 mEq/kg diet) in the second mixture. Growth and efficiency of feed conversion were not affected by dietary lysine and arginine in fish fed diets containing − 200 mEq/kg balance, but when fish were fed diets containing a 0 mEq/kg balance, 3.8% lysine and a combination of 3.1% lysine and 2.5% arginine depressed both measures of response. Trout receiving the 0 mEq/kg cation-anion balance had significantly higher free histidine concentrations and lower free lysine concentrations in muscle and higher hepatic arginase activity (P≤0.01) than those receiving −200 mEq/kg. In another experiment, trout were fed diets containing three levels of K + (21, 191 and 360 mEq/kg), two levels of Na + (21 and 191 mEq/kg) and two levels of Cl − (179 and 347 mEq/kg) in a 3×2×2 factorial design. Growth and efficiency of feed conversion were depressed and hepatosomatic index increased with higher levels of dietary K + (P≤0.01), Na + (P≤0.05) and Cl (P≤0.01), with significant K + x Cl + (P≤0.01) and K + x Na + x Cl (P≤0.05) interactions. Increasing dietary K + resulted in increased levels of muscle free histidine and decreased levels of muscle free lysine and arginine (P≤0.01), while increasing dietary Cl increased muscle free lysine, the effect of which was dependent on dietary potassium (K + x Cl − , P≤0.01). It is concluded that dietary levels of K + , Na + and Cl − , irrespective of overall cation-anion balance of these minerals, affects growth rate, efficiency of feed utilization and the metabolism of basic amino acids in tissues of trout. Excess lysine causes depressed growth and efficiency of feed utilization. These effects were due to a lysine toxicity rather than a lysine-arginine antagonism, as they were not prevented by supplemental dietary arginine.

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry↗

USGS1996

Sustainability in a materials world

Many adverse impacts on the environment can be directly related to the materials dispersed to the environment during processing or use, or after use as refuse and waste. Some materials, such as toxic wastes, are a major concern because they create immediate problems with longer-term effects. Gases released by major manufacturing industries can contribute to long-term regional and global problems such as acid rain or increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The use of other materials, however, appears to be more benign or strictly localized in their impacts. If the current per capita level of material consumption in the United States was achieved worldwide, it would create major stresses on both resource adequacy and the environment. In fact, stresses have been created and will continue from this consumption style (developed countries) even if others don't achieve them.

Natural Resources Research↗

USGS1994

'The Kesterson effect'

Hypothesized to be derived from Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks, selenium contamination of the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge is traced through irrigation drainage to the source bedrock of the California Coast Ranges. This biogeochemical pathway of selenium is defined here as the 'Kesterson effect.' At the refuge ponds, this effect culminated in 1983 in a 64% rate of deformity and death of embryos and hatchlings of wild aquatic birds. From the previous companion paper on irrigation drainage, the Kesterson effect has been implicated in nine of 11 reconnaissance areas studied in the western United States. Deformities have resulted in at least five of these sites. Climatic, geologic, hydrologic, and soil conditions in these reconnaissance areas are similar to those in the area surrounding Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge in the west-central San Joaquin Valley of California, in California, selenium as selenate, was ultimately found weathered with sulfur from marine sources in soluble sodium and magnesium sulfate salts, which are concentrated by evaporation on farmland soils. The Se, mobilized by irrigation drainage, is bioaccumulated to toxic levels in refuge wetland ponds that are located mainly in hydrologically closed basins and thus act as concentrating disposal points. The depositional environment of the ponds may be similar to that of the nutrient-rich continental shelf edge and slope in which Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene sediments found to be seleniferous in the California Coast Ranges were deposited. Bioaccumulation may be therefore a primary mechanism of selenium enrichment in ancient sediments in addition to that of the formerly suggested Cretaceous volcanic pathway.

California↗

USGS2003

Selenium in San Francisco Bay zooplankton: Potential effects of hydrodynamics and food web interactions

The potential toxicity of elevated selenium (Se) concentrations in aquatic ecosystems has stimulated efforts to measure Se concentrations in benthos, nekton, and waterfowl in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay). In September 1998, we initiated a 14 mo field study to determine the concentration of Se in SF Bay zooplankton, which play a major role in the Bay food web, but which have not previously been studied with respect to Se. Monthly vertical plankton tows were collected at several stations throughout SF Bay, and zooplankton were separated into two operationally defined size classes for Se analyses: 73-2,000 ??m, and ???2,000 ??m. Selenium values ranged 1.02-6.07 ??g Se g-1 dry weight. No spatial differences in zooplankton Se concentrations were found. However, there were inter- and intra-annual differences. Zooplankton Se concentrations were enriched in the North Bay in Fall 1999 when compared to other seasons and locations within and outside SF Bay. The abundance and biovolume of the zooplankton community varied spatially between stations, but not seasonally within each station. Smaller herbivorous-omnivorous zooplankton had higher Se concentrations than larger omnivorous-carnivorous zooplankton. Selenium concentrations in zooplankton were negatively correlated with the proportion of total copepod biovolume comprising the large carnivorous copepod Tortanus dextrilobatus, but positively correlated with the proportion of copepod biovolume comprising smaller copepods of the family Oithonidae, suggesting an important role of trophic level and size in regulating zooplankton Se concentrations.

Estuaries↗

USGS1997

A rop net and removable walkway used to quantitatively sample fishes over wetland surfaces in the dwarf mangrove of the Southern Everglades

We describe a 9 m 2 drop net and removable walkways designed to quantify densities of small fishes in wetland habitats with low to moderate vegetation density. The method permits the collection of small, quantitative, discrete samples in ecologically sensitive areas by combining rapid net deployment from fixed sites with the carefully contained use of the fish toxicant rotenone. This method requires very little contact with the substrate, causes minimal alteration to the habitat being sampled, samples small fishes in an unbiased manner, and allows for differential sampling of microhabitats within a wetland. When used in dwarf red mangrove ( Rhizophora mangle ) habitat in southern Everglades National Park and adjacent areas (September 1990 to March 1993), we achieved high recovery efficiencies (78–90%) for five common species <110 mm in length. We captured 20,193 individuals of 26 species. The most abundant fishes were sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus , goldspotted killifish Floridichthys carpio , rainwater killifish Lucania parva , sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna , and the exotic Mayan cichlid Cichlasoma urophthalmus . The 9 m 2 drop net and associated removable walkways are versatile and can be used in a variety of wetland types, including both interior and coastal wetlands with either herbaceous or woody vegetation.

Wetlands↗

USGS2015

Baseline blood Pb levels of black-necked stilts on the upper Texas coast

There are no known biological requirements for lead (Pb), and elevated Pb levels in birds can cause a variety of sub-lethal effects and mortality. Historic and current levels of Pb in mottled ducks ( Anas fulvigula ) suggest that environmental sources of Pb remain available on the upper Texas coast. Because of potential risks of Pb exposure among coexisting marsh birds, black-necked stilt ( Himantopus mexicanus ) blood Pb concentrations were measured during the breeding season. Almost 80 % (n = 120) of 152 sampled stilts exceeded the background threshold (>20 μg/dL) for Pb exposure. However, blood Pb concentrations did not vary by age or gender, and toxic or potentially lethal concentrations were rare (<5 %). Consistent, low-level blood Pb concentrations of black-necked stilts in this study suggest the presence of readily bioavailable sources of Pb, although potential impacts on local stilt populations remain unclear.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

USGS2019

Lead exposure of red-shouldered hawks during the breeding season in the central Appalachians, USA

Lead is toxic to humans and wildlife. Most studies of lead exposure of raptors focus on the winter, non-breeding season when they scavenge heavily. We evaluated blood lead concentrations (BLCs) of red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) during the non-scavenging season in the eastern United States. BLCs of 53 of 70 hawks were above the limit of detection ( x¯ = 9.25 µg/dL ± 19.81; ± SD). Adult hawks had higher BLCs ( x¯ = 12.86 µg/dL ± 24.72) than did nestlings ( x¯ = 3.25 µg/dL ± 2.62; p ≤ 0.001, χ2 = 13.2). There was no difference in BLCs of adult hawks among physiographic provinces but there were differences between urban and non-urban settings (p = 0.04, χ2 = 4.2). Soils and invertebrate hawk prey also had quantifiable lead concentrations. Our work shows that red-shouldered hawks are exposed to lead when not scavenging, and suggests pathways by which these birds may be exposed.

Central Appalachians↗

USGS2024

In-situ valve opening response of eastern oysters to estuarine conditions

High-frequency recordings of valve opening behavior (VOB) in bivalves are often used to detect changes in environmental conditions. However, generally a single variable such as temperature or the presence of toxicants in the water is the focus. A description of routine VOB under non-stressful conditions is also important for interpreting responses to environmental changes. Here we present the first detailed quantitative investigation of the in-situ VOB of eastern oysters ( Crassostrea virginica ) to environmental variables typically not considered stressful. The VOB of eight individuals was monitored for seven weeks in a Louisiana estuary. We examined the relationships between VOB metrics (variance in mean % max opening among oysters, the probability of an oyster being closed, and the rate of valve closure), and temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration, the rate of change in those environmental variables, and the rate of change in water depth. Relationships were analyzed through statistical models including rates of change over 0, 0.25, 1-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hours. All the responses were best explained by the 12-hour time step model. The interaction effect between salinity and the rate of change of salinity had the greatest impact on variance in oysters’ behavior. Oysters closed faster at higher salinities and were more likely to be closed at lower chl-a concentrations. Significant interactions were found between many environmental variables, indicating a high level of complexity of oyster behavior in the natural environment. This study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of environmental conditions on oyster behavior and can help inform predictive tools for restoration initiatives and fisheries practices.

Louisiana↗

USGS2001

An assessment of injury to sediments and sediment-dwelling organisms in the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Area of Concern, USA

This article is the first in a series of three that describe the results of a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) conducted in the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Area of Concern (IHAOC). The assessment area is located in northwest Indiana and was divided into nine reaches to facilitate the assessment. This component of the NRDA was undertaken to determine if sediments and sediment-dwelling organisms have been injured due to exposure to contaminants that have accumulated in sediments as a result of discharges of oil or releases of other hazardous substances from industrial, municipal, and nonpoint sources. To support this assessment, information was compiled on the chemical composition of sediment and pore water; on the toxicity of whole sediments, pore water, and elutriates; and on the status of benthic invertebrate communities. The data on each of these indicators were compared to regionally relevant benchmarks to assess the presence and extent of injury to surface water resources (i.e., sediments) or biological resources (i.e., sediment-dwelling organisms). The results of this assessment indicate that sediment injury has occurred throughout the assessment area, with up to four distinct lines of evidence demonstrating injury within the various reaches. The primary contaminants of concern (i.e., those substances that are present at concentrations that are sufficient to cause or substantially contribute to sediment injury) include metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and total polychlorinated biphenyls.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗