Exposure of Spectacled Eiders and other diving ducks to lead in western Alaska
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Abstract
Lead poisoning, resulting from ingestion of spent shot, has been identified as a cause of mortality in Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri) on the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. We examined lead-exposure rates of adult and juvenile Spectacled Eiders and other diving ducks, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry of blood samples. Additionally, we X-rayed birds in the field to identify ingested shot. We detected shot in the gizzards of 11.6% of Spectacled Eiders X-rayed. During the period from arrival through incubation, 13.0% of adult females and 6.6% of adult males had elevated blood lead levels when captured. During the brood-rearing period, 35.8% of adult females and 12.2% of ducklings were exposed to lead when captured. There was an increase in the probability of exposure of adult females with date sampled. We predict that 50% of the successfully breeding hens were likely exposed to lead, and 25–37% of the Spectacled Eider breeding population was exposed to lead. The long-term effects of sublethal doses on Spectacled Eiders are unknown; however, exposure of nesting females and young birds to lead may result in reduced over-winter survival and (or) reduced fecundity.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Exposure of Spectacled Eiders and other diving ducks to lead in western Alaska |
| Series title | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
| DOI | 10.1139/z97-054 |
| Volume | 75 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1997 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | NRC Research Press |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Science Center |
| Description | 5 p. |
| First page | 439 |
| Last page | 443 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Other Geospatial | Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |