Birds bioaccumulation

Walker, C.H., 1990. Persistent pollutants in fish-eating sea birds Bioaccumulation, metabolism and effects. Aquat. Toxicol. 17, 293-324. 

Mitex [2385-85-5] is l,2,3,4,5,5,6,7,8,9,10,10-dodecachloro-octahydro-l,3,4-metheno-2JT-cyclobuta-p,<7 -pentalene (37) (mp 485°C). The rat LD s are 306, 600 (oral) and >2000 (dermal) mg/kg. Mirex is extremely resistant to biodegradation and was once considered the perfect stomach poison iasecticide for use ia baits to control imported fire ants. However, even at doses of a few milligrams per 10 m it was found to bioaccumulate ia birds and fish and its registrations were canceled ia the United States ia 1976. 

There have been a nnmber of estimates of bioconcentration factors for total PCBs in aqnatic species following long-term exposure to PCB mixtures (EHC 140). Values for both invertebrates and hsh have been extremely variable, ranging from values below 1 to many thonsands. Bioaccnmnlation factors for birds and mammals for different Aroclors have indicated only limited degrees of bioaccumulation from food, for example, 6.6 and 14.8 for the whole carcasses of big brown bats Eptesicus fuscus) and white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), respectively (see Environmental Health Criteria 140). 

To assess bioaccumulation in the environment, the levels of trichloroethylene in the tissues of a wide range of organisms were determined (Pearson and McConnell 1975). Species were chosen to represent several trophic levels in the marine environment. The maximum overall increase in concentration between sea water and the tissues of animals at the top of food chains, such as fish liver, sea bird eggs, and sea seal blubber, was less... 

Sublethal effects of mercury on birds, administered by a variety of routes, included adverse effects on growth, development, reproduction, blood and tissue chemistry, metabolism, and behavior. Histopathology and bioaccumulation were also noted. 

Outridge, P.M. and A.M. Scheuhammer. 1993. Bioaccumulation and toxicology of nickel implications for wild mammals and birds. Environ. Rev. 1 172-197. 

Ohlendorf, H.M., R.L. Hothem, C.M. Bunck, and K.C. Marois. 1990. Bioaccumulation of selenium in birds at Kesterson Reservoir, California. Arch. Environ. Contamin. Toxicol. 19 495-507. 

Terrestrial fauna, such as birds, mammals, or domestic animals. Effects are heavy metals accumulation followed by possible disturbance of physiological and biochemical reactions and metabolisms. Bioaccumulation of Cd, Hg and Cu in the food web is the most important concern. 

The food of top predators generally comprises small birds and/or mammals. Bioaccumulation of chemicals from soil to small birds and mammals takes place in at least two steps, namely a BCF from soil to food (plants and/or invertebrates), followed by a BAF to small birds and mammals. 

Results show that for Cd (i) birds of prey are always more sensitive that beasts of prey and (ii) bioaccumulation is lowest in the food chain Soil —> worm —> bird/mammal. The latter food chain to birds of prey is by far the most critical pathway for Cd exposure, leading to very low critical limits for soils (approximately 0.1 ppm,... 

In the 1960s, organic residues (e.g. DDT, PCBs, methyl mercury) began to be detected in several species of shellfish, fish and fish-eating birds [1,2]. Since then, assessment of the bioaccumulation of chemicals has been considered decisive for determining the potential hazard and environmental risk it is regulated by various official organisations such as the OECD [3], EPA [4,5] and ASTM [6],... 

Surprisingly, many halogenated compoimds thought to be structurally similar to pollutants have been foimd to be naturally bioaccumulating in marine fish, birds, and mammals. These include the highly brominated bipyrroles (Figure 22.29). They are likely bacterial metabolites that are being passed up the food chain. 

Consider the following purely hypothetical example assessment for the exposure of an insectivorous bird to a new agricultural insecticide. This insecticide degrades very quickly after application, so that its toxicity dissipates after 24 hours. It does not bioaccumulate, and nonlethal doses are metabolized with no long-term consequences for the bird. These features imply a fairly simple assessment, involving the following expression for computing exposure of a bird to the insecticide within 1 day of its field application... 

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