Pollutant Concentrations in Abnormal Young Terns from Long Island Sound

• DOI: 10.2307/4084057
• Publication Date: 2012-09-14T11:32:33Z
• Authors: Helen Hays; Robert W. Risebrough
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences

TH•S paper reports the results of preliminary analyses for chlorinated hydrocarbons and mercury in young terns with visible abnormalities fo.und a colony on Great Gull Island, 72 ø 07' W, 41 12' N. Analyses are also reported eight species fish brought to as food or part behavioral displays. GullIsland lies at eastern end Long Island Sound about 170 km east ooe New York City almost 16 east-northeast tip.o.fLong Island.In late 19th century island supported large Common Terns, Sterna hirundo, Roseate dougallii, until military fort built there 1895 displaced them.When U.S. Army abandoned 1940s, many tern breeding grounds along Connecticut shore had either been destroyed by real estate encroachment were permanently disturbed improved transportation development recreational facilities metropolitan area.Aware island's history site colony, American Museum Natural History Linnaean Society cooperated to.acquire hoping that might once again nest HAYS AND RISEBROUGlt [Auk, Vol.89 MATERIALS ANI) METYIODS In 1966 grid was set up dividing which has an area 17 acres, into quadrats 25 X m square.For production study undertaken 1969 1970, all nests located recorded quadrat; this helped finding they rechecked.Both years daily checks made from time first egg found last sample 1,500 ringed leg plastic band.Each marked numbered wooden stick (commercial tongue depressor) placed ground beside it, number, location, number eggs recorded.The each clutch when dri-mark pen permit following egg.Both Terns lay small clutches varying size one four hatch, rule, 20-28 days after laid.Eggs normally laid rate per day, but day two may be skipped between occasionally, checked 7 insure it complete.In order band hatched, recheck date 20 laying assigned nest.In both over fashion before began hatching.Upon hatching given band.Individuals same different colors.Birds 1-egg received purple bands, birds 2-egg yellow green, those 3-egg red, white, blue respectively.Intensive newly hatched carried out during 10 June 4 July 19 1970 more people able participate later season.Checks continued less regular intervals middle August hatched.During final phase study, bands removed replaced unique combination three color aluminum Fish Wildlife Service band, so individual could recognized followed.On dead picked their numbers recorded.Abnormal frozen preserved percent formalin.In collected formalin.Both abnormal samples analyzed total mercury, DDT, PCB compounds using techniques: For determination portion left lobe liver sent Gulf General Atomic, San Diego, California, analysis neutron activation, according procedure described company."Weighed portions sealed vials irradiated flux •2 thermal neutrons cm2-per second together comparator standard.The digested, presence carrier, mixture HNOa H•SO• under reflux conditions.Multi-channel gamma ray spectrometry used identify quantirate mercury."DDT measured methods previously (Risebrough et al., 1970).The composition closely resembled Aroclor 1254 (Monsanto Chemical Company, St. Louis, Missouri).PCB therefore quantified peak retention 1.33 relative p,p•-DDE QF-1 column standard (Peak 8, Ahling