| Title | Reproductive performance and organochlorine pollutants in an Antarctic marine top predator; the south polar skua |
| Author | Bustnes, J.O.; Tveraa, T.; Varpe, O.; Henden, J.A.; Skaare, J.U. |
| Author Affil | Bustnes, J.O., Polar Environmental Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Tromso, Norway. Other: University of Bergen, Norway; University of Tromso, Norway; National Veterinary Institute, Norway |
| Source | Environment International, 33(7), p.911-918, . Publisher: Elsevier, New York- Oxford, International. ISSN: 0160- 4120 |
| Publication Date | Oct. 2007 |
| Notes | In English. 70 refs. GeoRef Acc. No: 288411. CRREL Acc. No: 63000871 |
| Index Terms | ecology; ecosystems; ocean environments; measurement; pollution; statistical analysis; stresses; stress concentration; Antarctica--Queen Maud Land; Antarctica; Aves; bioaccumulation; biochemistry; Catharacta; chlorinated hydrocarbons; Chordata; concentration; DDE; eggs; habitat; halogenated hydrocarbons; marine environment; nests; organic compounds; PCBs; pollutants; principal components analysis; Queen Maud Land; risk assessment; Stercorariidae; stress; Tetrapoda; toxic materials; Vertebrata |
| Abstract | Despite low levels of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) in Antarctic biota, some compounds may exceed the levels in equivalent Arctic species, and previous studies have found biochemical evidence of pollutant exposure in south polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki), a common marine top predator in the region. In this study we examined relationships between fitness components (fecundity and adult return rate between breeding seasons) and concentrations of OCs in this species. In 65 nests, both males and females were caught, and using principal component analyses (PCA) we produced composite measurements (PC1 and PC2) of six highly correlated OCs measured in blood samples. Although the concentrations of OC were below those documented to have reproductive effects in other aquatic birds, we found that the eggs of females with high levels of OCs in the blood hatched later, and their chicks were in poorer condition at hatching, than females with low OC levels. (mod. journ. abst.) |
| URL | http://hdl.handle.net/10.1016/j.envint.2007.04.010 |
| Publication Type | journal article |
| Record ID | 85094 |