Contaminant concentrations in breeding and non-breeding northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis L.) from the Canadian high arctic.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were measured in livers of male and female northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) shortly after egg-laying on northern Devon Island, NU, Canada. Breeding females had lower hepatic POPs (lipid normalised) than breeding males, but non-breeding males and females had similar concentrations. We suspect that breeding females are eliminating some of their POPs during egg formation. Concentrations of measured POPs were lower than those associated with avian health concerns, and there was no evidence that POPs in the birds were contributing to additional breeding stress.
Mallory
Mark L
ML
Canadian Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1714, Iqaluit, NU, Canada X0A 0H0. mark.mallory@ec.gc.ca
Braune
Birgit M
BM
Forbes
Mark R L
MR
D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D002170:Canada; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors
D004785:Environmental Pollutants