title: Decadal re-evaluation of contaminant exposure and productivity of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern.
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.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; Marine-Estuarine Environmental Sciences Program and Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lazarus
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA. Electronic address: brattner@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Barnett A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Rattner
authors.affiliation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.affiliation: Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Karouna-Renier
authors.affiliation: Marine-Estuarine Environmental Sciences Program and Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ottinger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061006:Bays; D004219:District of Columbia; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D046093:Falconiformes / Q000502:physiology*; D020387:Food Chain; D008396:Maryland; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014768:Virginia
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Chesapeake Bay; Genotoxicity; Osprey; Persistent pollutants; Productivity