title: Inorganic and organic contaminants in Alaskan shorebird eggs.
abstract: Many shorebird populations throughout North America are thought to be declining, with potential causes attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation, reduced prey availability, increased predation, human disturbance, and increased exposure to environmental pollutants. Shorebirds may be particularly vulnerable to contaminant exposure throughout their life cycle, as they forage primarily on invertebrates in wetlands, where many contaminants accumulate disproportionately in the sediments. Therefore, it is important to document and monitor shorebird populations thought to be at risk and assess the role that environmental contaminants may have on population declines. To investigate potential threats and provide baseline data on shorebird contaminant levels in Alaskan shorebirds, contaminant concentrations were evaluated in shorebird eggs from 16 species residing in seven geographic distinct regions of Alaska. Similar to previous studies, low levels of most inorganic and organic contaminants were found, although concentrations of several inorganic and organic contaminants were higher than those of previous studies. For example, elevated strontium levels were observed in several species, especially black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) sampled in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Additionally, contaminant concentrations varied among species, with significantly higher concentrations of inorganic contaminants found in eggs of pectoral sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), black oystercatcher, and bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica). Similarly, significantly higher concentrations of some organic contaminants were found in the eggs of American golden plover (Pluvialis dominica), black-bellied plover (Pluvialis squatarola), pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva), bar-tailed godwit, and semipalmated sandpiper. Despite these elevated levels, current concentrations of contaminants in shorebird eggs suggest that breeding environments are relatively free of most contaminants and that contaminant concentrations are below levels (except potentially strontium) that would likely affect the survival of individuals and consequently regulate the species at the population level.
authors.affiliation: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management Division, 1011 East Tudor Road, MS 201, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503, USA. dsaalfeld@gmail.com.|Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, Alaska, 99518, USA. dsaalfeld@gmail.com.
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Saalfeld
authors.affiliation: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office, 101 12th Ave, Room 110, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99701, USA.
authors.forename: Angela C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Matz
authors.affiliation: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 346, Bethel, Alaska, 99559, USA.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: McCaffery
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717, USA.
authors.forename: Oscar W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University Hawaii, 55-220 Kulanui St., Laie, Hawaii, 96762, USA.
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bruner
authors.affiliation: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management Division, 1011 East Tudor Road, MS 201, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503, USA.
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Lanctot
mesh_terms: D000413:Alaska; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000502:physiology; D046091:Charadriiformes; D017753:Ecosystem; D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis*; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007448:Invertebrates
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Arctic; Mercury; Organochlorines; Prince William Sound; Shorebirds; Strontium