Decadal re-evaluation of contaminant exposure and productivity of ospreys (<i>Pandion haliaetus</i>) nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern

Rebecca S. Lazarus; Barnett A. Rattner; Peter C. McGowan; Robert C. Hale; Sandra L. Schultz; Natalie K. Karouna-Renier; Mary Ann Ottinger

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2015.05.026

Decadal re-evaluation of contaminant exposure and productivity of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern

Environmental Pollution

Peter C. McGowan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office, Annapolis, Maryland; Robert C. Hale, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA; Mary Ann Ottinger, Marine-Estuarine Environmental Sciences Program and Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

By: Rebecca S. Lazarus, Barnett A. Rattner, Peter C. McGowan, Robert C. Hale, Sandra L. Schultz, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, and Mary Ann Ottinger

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.05.026

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Abstract

The last large-scale ecotoxicological study of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in Chesapeake Bay was conducted in 2000-2001 and focused on U.S. EPA-designated Regions of Concern (ROCs; Baltimore Harbor/Patapsco, Anacostia/middle Potomac, and Elizabeth Rivers). In 2011-2012, ROCs were re-evaluated to determine spatial and temporal trends in productivity and contaminants. Concentrations of p,p'-DDE were low in eggs and below the threshold associated with eggshell thinning. Eggs from the Anacostia/middle Potomac Rivers had lower total PCB concentrations in 2011 than in 2000; however, concentrations remained unchanged in Baltimore Harbor. Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants declined by 40%, and five alternative brominated flame retardants were detected at low levels. Osprey productivity was adequate to sustain local populations, and there was no relation between productivity and halogenated contaminants. Our findings document continued recovery of the osprey population, declining levels of many persistent halogenated compounds, and modest evidence of genetic damage in nestlings from industrialized regions.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Decadal re-evaluation of contaminant exposure and productivity of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern
Series title	Environmental Pollution
DOI	10.1016/j.envpol.2015.05.026
Volume	205
Year Published	2015
Language	English
Publisher	Applied Science Publishers
Publisher location	Barking, Essex, England
Contributing office(s)	Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Contaminant Biology Program
Description	13 p.
First page	278
Last page	290
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Other Geospatial	Chesapeake Bay
Online Only (Y/N)	N
Additional Online Files (Y/N)	N
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page