Sources of Organochlorine Contaminants and Mercury in Seabirds from the Aleutian Archipelago of Alaska

Publisher: USGS | Science Center: Western Ecological Research Center (WERC, Sacramento) | Format: URL

www.werc.usgs.gov — The Aleutian archipelago of Alaska, which separates the North Pacific Ocean from the Bering Sea, supports a diverse and abundant community of resident and migratory seabirds, comprising over 26 species and 10 million birds. However, comparatively little data exist on sources of environmental contaminants for this community despite extensive More... The Aleutian archipelago of Alaska, which separates the North Pacific Ocean from the Bering Sea, supports a diverse and abundant community of resident and migratory seabirds, comprising over 26 species and 10 million birds. However, comparatively little data exist on sources of environmental contaminants for this community despite extensive published reports on contaminants in seabirds from the high arctic. Scientists collected and analyzed concentrations of organochlorine compounds and mercury in liver samples from representative seabirds inhabiting the western and central archipelago to help describe point and distant sources of contaminants. Their results indicate seabirds inhabiting the Aleutians are still exposed to environmentally persistent chlorinated compounds derived from local and distant sources, and contaminant concentrations in seabirds may pose risks to apex predators such as bald eagles that consume seabirds. Less...