U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists evaluated a nonlethal method to estimate mercury in the embryos of 23 bird species using mercury content in eggshells. This method was effective for a wide range of ages and species.
Avian ecotoxicologists often examine contaminant bioaccumulation in different bird tissues with the intent of relating tissue concentrations to established toxicological benchmarks to understand the risks of potential adverse health effects. Bird eggs are an ideal matrix for measuring environmental contaminants because they reflect parental exposure and can be directly linked to reproductive effects. Sampling eggshells after chicks hatch could provide a nonlethal method for assessing contaminant exposure and risk to reproduction.
Mercury is a globally pervasive contaminant that has been reported to impair the reproductive health of fish and wildlife, yet few studies have evaluated the utility of eggshells as a sampling tissue to estimate bird exposure to mercury. Scientists collected eggs from 23 bird species at several locations around the Great Salt Lake, in northern Utah, for this study. This location was selected because mercury has been documented in the water, sediment, and biota in the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem which is known as an important breeding, migratory, and wintering habitat for millions of waterbirds. They measured mercury concentrations in the eggshell components (specifically hardened eggshells, material adhered to the eggshells, and inner eggshell membranes) and the egg contents.
The relation between mercury concentrations in eggshell components and egg content (embyo) concentrations was significant for each eggshell component. Mercury concentrations in eggshells were much lower than in the other eggshell components and much lower than in embryos. Despite very little mercury in eggshells, mercury concentrations in eggshells had the strongest correlation with mercury contents in embryos among all eggshell components.
Overall, this study concludes that the nonlethal method of measuring mercury in eggshells can be used to estimate mercury concentrations in embryos if age and species are addressed in the sampling design and if consistency in eggshell processing is utilized. This study is part of a long-term goal of the USGS Environmental Health Program to understand and inform land and resource management efforts to minimize exposure and the health risks of organisms exposed to pervasive contaminants.
This research was supported by the USGS's Contaminant Biology Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Environmental Contaminants Program, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Quality.
Below are other science teams and laboratories associated with this work.
Ecologically-Driven Exposure Pathways Science Team
Synthesis of Mercury Distribution and Bioaccumulation Across Western North America
Western Ecological Research Center
North American and European Atmospheric Mercury Declines Explained by Local and Regional Emission Reductions
Mercury in Fish from 21 National Parks in the West
- Overview
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists evaluated a nonlethal method to estimate mercury in the embryos of 23 bird species using mercury content in eggshells. This method was effective for a wide range of ages and species.
Avian ecotoxicologists often examine contaminant bioaccumulation in different bird tissues with the intent of relating tissue concentrations to established toxicological benchmarks to understand the risks of potential adverse health effects. Bird eggs are an ideal matrix for measuring environmental contaminants because they reflect parental exposure and can be directly linked to reproductive effects. Sampling eggshells after chicks hatch could provide a nonlethal method for assessing contaminant exposure and risk to reproduction.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Photograph showing white-faced ibis nesting at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Great Salt Lake, Utah. Photo Credit: Josh T. Ackerman, Western Ecological Research Center, USGS. Mercury is a globally pervasive contaminant that has been reported to impair the reproductive health of fish and wildlife, yet few studies have evaluated the utility of eggshells as a sampling tissue to estimate bird exposure to mercury. Scientists collected eggs from 23 bird species at several locations around the Great Salt Lake, in northern Utah, for this study. This location was selected because mercury has been documented in the water, sediment, and biota in the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem which is known as an important breeding, migratory, and wintering habitat for millions of waterbirds. They measured mercury concentrations in the eggshell components (specifically hardened eggshells, material adhered to the eggshells, and inner eggshell membranes) and the egg contents.
The relation between mercury concentrations in eggshell components and egg content (embyo) concentrations was significant for each eggshell component. Mercury concentrations in eggshells were much lower than in the other eggshell components and much lower than in embryos. Despite very little mercury in eggshells, mercury concentrations in eggshells had the strongest correlation with mercury contents in embryos among all eggshell components.
Overall, this study concludes that the nonlethal method of measuring mercury in eggshells can be used to estimate mercury concentrations in embryos if age and species are addressed in the sampling design and if consistency in eggshell processing is utilized. This study is part of a long-term goal of the USGS Environmental Health Program to understand and inform land and resource management efforts to minimize exposure and the health risks of organisms exposed to pervasive contaminants.
This research was supported by the USGS's Contaminant Biology Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Environmental Contaminants Program, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Quality.
- Science
Below are other science teams and laboratories associated with this work.
Ecologically-Driven Exposure Pathways Science Team
The Ecologically-Driven Exposure pathways team identifies internal and external pathways and processes that can alter exposure and toxicity of contaminants and pathogens to wildlife the environment. That information is used to distinguish actual health risks to fish and wildlife. If actual risks are identified this project will inform how to economically and effectively minimize risk by providing...Synthesis of Mercury Distribution and Bioaccumulation Across Western North America
The unique combination of natural processes and human activities present in western North America can strongly affect the exposure of fish and birds to methylmercury, the most toxic form of mercury (Hg).Western Ecological Research Center
The Pacific Region contains a dazzling array of habitats from below-sea-level deserts to alpine tundra to coastal mountains, seashores, and marine ecosystems. The Western Ecological Research Center reflects the qualities of this region with equally diverse expertise. Our scientists are trained in research, monitoring, and technology development to basic biology and modeling.North American and European Atmospheric Mercury Declines Explained by Local and Regional Emission Reductions
Recent findings from a consortium of university, State, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists indicate that declining atmospheric concentrations of mercury (Hg) can be explained by the phaseout of mercury in many commercial products and by reduced emissions from utilities over the past two decades.Mercury in Fish from 21 National Parks in the West
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Park Service (NPS) scientists collaborated in the first study to measure mercury in fish from remote places in 21 National Parks spanning 10 Western States, including Alaska. Mercury levels in fish generally were low, but were elevated in some local areas, including two parks in Utah and Alaska where samples taken from sport fish exceeded the U.S... - Publications