title: Using nestling plasma to assess long-term spatial and temporal concentrations of organochlorine compounds in bald eagles within Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA.
abstract: The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) population at Voyageurs National Park (VNP) provides an opportunity to assess long-term temporal and spatial trends of persistent environmental contaminants. Nestling bald eagle plasma samples collected from 1997 to 2010 were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides. Trends of total PCBs, total DDTs, 4,4'-DDE, and Dieldrin were analyzed since >50% of nestling plasma samples had detectable concentrations. Total PCBs, total DDTs, and 4,4'-DDE concentrations have all decreased over time (26.09%, 24.09%, and 40.92% respectively). Concentrations of Dieldrin have increased by 50.25%. In this study, 61.1% of all nestlings sampled had detectable concentrations of Dieldrin from all time periods and all areas of VNP. Since Dieldrin is a banned pesticide in North America, the source of this increase is unknown. However, increases and fluctuations in Dieldrin concentration suggest contaminant levels in VNP may be linked to a new source or environmental process.
authors.affiliation: Clemson University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, USA. Electronic address: H.T.Pittman@gmail.com.
authors.forename: H Tyler
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Pittman
authors.affiliation: Clemson University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, USA. Electronic address: wbowerma@umd.edu.
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Bowerman
authors.affiliation: Voyageurs National Park, 3131 Highway 53 South, International Falls, MN 56649, USA. Electronic address: clgrim57@midco.net.
authors.forename: Leland H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Grim
authors.affiliation: US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2500 South Pine Knoll Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA. Electronic address: tgrubb@fs.fed.us.
authors.forename: Teryl G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Grubb
authors.affiliation: Clemson University, Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, 243 Barr Hall, Clemson, SC 29687, USA. Electronic address: wbrdgs@clemson.edu.
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.affiliation: Clemson University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, USA. Electronic address: mike.wierda@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wierda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020307:Eagles / Q000097:blood*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000097:blood*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Bald eagle; DDT; Dieldrin; Haliaeetus leucocephalus; PCB; Voyageurs National Park