Perfluorinated and chlorinated pollutants as predictors of demographic parameters in an endangered seabird.
Despite global occurrence of several perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) the potential ecological effects of such substances on natural populations are not known. In endangered lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus fuscus) on the Norwegian Coast, the blood concentrations of PFCs were as high as legacy organochlorines (OCs), and here we examined whether PFCs show associations similar to those of OCs to factors potentially affecting population growth, by evaluating relationships between contaminant concentrations and demographic parameters (reproductive performance and the probability of adults returning between breeding seasons). PFCs were not adversely associated with demographic parameters, while the most persistent OCs; notably PCB and p,p'-DDE, were adversely associated with early chick survival, and adult return rate. This study thus suggests that when the concentrations of PFCs and OCs are of similar magnitude in a gull population, OCs are more likely to cause adverse ecological effects.
Bustnes
Jan Ove
JO
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Department of Arctic Ecology, The Polar Environmental Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway. jan.o.bustnes@nina.no
Erikstad
Kjell Einar
KE
Lorentsen
Svein-Håkon
SH
Herzke
Dorte
D
D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000097:blood*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D017611:Fluorine Compounds / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D009664:Norway; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012098:Reproduction
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D017611:Fluorine Compounds; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated