A multiple lines of evidence ecological risk assessment of great horned owl exposure to polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in the Tittabawassee River floodplain in Midland, MI, USA
by Coefield, Sarah Jean, M.S., MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, 2010, 91 pages; 1485622

Abstract:

The soils and sediments downstream of Midland, Michigan, USA, have elevated polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p -dioxin (PCDD) concentrations. To determine if the PCDD/DF concentrations have the potential to adversely affect terrestrial birds, a multiple lines of evidence, site-specific risk assessment for the great homed owl ( Bubo virginianus; GHO) was conducted. Site-specific GHO dietary exposure, tissue concentrations and population health measures were collected for 115 km of river corridor from 2005-2008. Fifty-five active nests were monitored in 21 breeding territories. The GHO daily dietary exposure estimate was greater in the study area (SA) (3.3 ng TEQ

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-Avian/kg bw/d) than in the reference area (RA) (0.07 ng/kg bw/d), but was less than the toxicity reference value. Likewise, the geometric mean TEQ

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-Avian concentration in GHO plasma was greater in the SA than in the RA for both adult (RA: 3.1 pg TEQ

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-Avian/mL, SA: 9.4 pg TEQ

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-Avian/mL) and nestling (RA: 0.82 pg TEQ

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-Avian/mL, SA: 2.1 pg TEQ

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-Avian/mL) GHOs, but less than concentrations expected to cause adverse effects. GHO population health and productivity were both greater in the study area than in the reference area. The three lines of evidence suggest GHOs in the Tittabawassee River floodplain are not adversely impacted by PCDD/DFs in the soils and sediments downstream of Midland, MI.

 
AdviserJohn P. Giesy
SchoolMICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 49-01, p. , Aug 2010
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsEnvironmental health; Zoology
Publication Number1485622
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