Contaminant Levels in Eggs of American White Pelicans, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, from Chase Lake, North Dakota

Authors

  • Pamela J. Pietz U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th Street SE, Jamestown, North Dakota 58401
  • Marsha A. Sovada U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th Street SE, Jamestown, North Dakota 58401
  • Christine M. Custer U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603
  • Thomas W. Custer U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603
  • Kevin M. Johnson U.S. Fish andWildlife Service, Ecological Services, 3425 MiriamAvenue, Bismarck, North Dakota, 58501

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v122i4.637

Keywords:

American White Pelicans, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, eggs, organic contaminants, metals, Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota

Abstract

American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) are colonial nesters, making them susceptible to site-specific mortality factors. One of the largest known breeding colonies is at Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota. In 2004, this colony suffered total reproductive failure. In 2005, we collected abandoned eggs from this colony to test for environmental contaminants. Nine eggs were analyzed for 28 organochlorine pesticides, total polychlorinated biphenyls, and 26 inorganic elements. Based on concentrations in this sample of eggs and levels linked to reproductive problems in birds, adult pelicans in the Chase Lake breeding colony are not at known risk from any of the environmental contaminants we measured.

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Issue

Vol. 122 No. 4 (2008)

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Articles

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