Effects of No. 2 fuel oil on common eider eggs

An oil spill near a breeding colony could result in the transfer of oil from the plumage and feet of incubating birds to their eggs. Microlitre amounts of No. 2 fuel oil were applied externally to common eider eggs in an island breeding colony in Maine. Clutches of eggs treated with 20 μl of fuel oil had significantly greater embryonic mortality than the control clutches when they were examined 7 days after treatment. The results are similar to those of an earlier study of artificially incubated common eider eggs and indicate that nest site conditions do not affect embryotoxicity of No. 2 fuel oil.     

Magnetic cleansing of weathered/tarry oiled feathers--the role of pre-conditioners

Iron powder has previously been demonstrated to be effective in the removal, via magnetic harvesting, of a wide variety of oil contaminants from feathers and plumage. This study investigates the efficacy of magnetic cleansing for the removal from feathers of tarry contamination that has been allowed to weather. Clusters of feathers from Mallard duck (Anas platyrhnchos) and Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) were completely immersed in a tarry contaminant and allowed to weather from one to fourteen days. The contaminant was removed using a magnetic cleansing protocol and the removal efficacy assessed gravimetrically. For one, seven and fourteen days of weathering, a final removal (after fourteen treatments) of more than 99% and 97% was achieved for duck feathers and penguin feathers, respectively. Repeating the experiments (for a seven-day weathering period) for both duck and penguin feathers, with the judicious application of a pre-conditioner (olive oil), further improved removal efficacy. A convenient method to screen for improved pre-conditioning agents is suggested.     

Mercury monitoring: Mercury stability in bird feathers

The influence of ultraviolet light, heating, freezing and weathering on the mercury concentration in the primary feathers from Guillemot and Black Guillemot has been examined. Even within 8 months of exposure variation in mercury concentration due to either loss of mercury or weight loss of the feathers has been found to be less than 10% relative.     

Metal dynamics in an Antarctic food chain

The concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium, selenium and mercury were determined in eggs, muscle, liver, kidney and stomach content of nestilings and adults of the Antarctic petrel, Thalassoica antarctica, and its predator, the south polar skua, Chataracta maccormicki, from Svarthamaren, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. The dominant food of the petrels is krill, Euphausia superba. The results show relatively high levels of cadmium in krill, which is assumed to be the main reason for the high levels of cadmium in petrels and skuas. Cadmium is almost absent in eggs, but accumulates very rapidly with age in nestlings. The copper concentrations in livers of nestling petrels reach very high levels during growth. This may be seen in connection with physiological development processes. Mercury seems to be accumulated with age and between trophic levels. Among the nestlings, the mercury levels decrease with increasing age, which may be accomplished by the excretion of mercury through the growth of feathers and as a dilution effect during growth. Selenium and mercury are inversely correlated in nestlings. The levels of zinc were similar for different nestling stages and between nestlings and adults in skuas and petrels.     

Whole-bird models for the magnetic cleansing of oiled feathers

Iron powder, a promising dry-cleansing agent for oiled feathers where both the contaminant and the cleansing agent may be harvested magnetically, has been tested on the plumage of whole-bird models. The breast and back plumage of Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) carcasses were patch-contaminated with commercial-grade engine oil, three different crude oils, and an oil/seawater emulsion. The plumage was then subjected to a magnetic cleansing protocol. The contaminant removal was assessed gravimetrically and was found to reflect the outcomes for a previously reported in vitro study using feather clusters. Between 92-98% of the contaminants, and effectively all of the cleansing agent, were removed from the feathers.     

Bacterial flora and antibiotic resistance from eggs of green turtles Chelonia mydas: An indication of polluted effluents

Sea turtles migrate to various habitats where they can be exposed to different pollutants. Bacteria were collected from turtle eggs and their resistance to antibiotics was used as pollutant bio-indicators of contaminated effluents. Eggs were collected randomly from turtles when they were laying their eggs. A total of 90 eggs were collected and placed into sterile plastic bags (3 eggs/turtle) during June-December of 2003. The bacteria located in the eggshell, albumen and yolk were examined, and 42% of the eggs were contaminated with 10 genera of bacteria. Pseudomonas spp. were the most frequent isolates. The albumen was found to be the part of the egg to be the least contaminated by bacterial infection. Bacterial isolates tested with 14 antibiotics showed variations in resistance. Resistance to ampicillin was the highest. The presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in eggs indicates that the green turtle populations were subjected to polluted effluents during some of their migratory routes and feeding habitats. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that Salmonella typhimurium penetrated all eggshell layers.     

A mesocosm experiment investigating the effects of substratum quality and wave exposure on the survival of fish eggs

In a mesocosm experiment, the attachment of bream (Abramis brama) eggs to spawning substrata with and without periphytic biofilm coverage and their subsequent survival with and without low-intensity wave exposure were investigated. Egg attachment was reduced by 73% on spawning substrata with a natural periphytic biofilm, compared to clean substrata. Overall, this initial difference in egg numbers persisted until hatching. The difference in egg numbers was even increased in the wave treatment, while it was reduced in the no-wave control treatment. Exposure to a low-intensity wave regime affected egg development between the two biofilm treatments differently. Waves enhanced egg survival on substrata without a biofilm but reduced the survival of eggs on substrata with biofilm coverage. In the treatment combining biofilm-covered substrata and waves, no attached eggs survived until hatching. In all treatments, more than 75% of the eggs became detached from the spawning substrata during the egg incubation period, and <1% of these detached eggs survived within the substratum interstices. Hence, detached eggs contributed little to the reproductive success we observed. The implications of these results on the spawning success of fish species that use freshly inundated spawning substrata in shallow waters are discussed.     

Biomonitoring of coastal areas in Tunisia: Stable isotope and trace element analysis in the Yellow-legged Gull

We used Yellow-legged Gull (YLG) chicks to monitor trace elements in Tunisian areas subject to different pollution stresses: urban contamination (Chikly), industrial pollution (Thyna) and an unpolluted area (Kneis).We measured trace element concentrations (Hg, Se and Pb) in chick feathers. We also assessed their feeding ecology by analyzing both regurgitates and stable isotopes (SIA) in chick feathers and in their prey, to determine the main entry route of pollutants. SIA revealed that YLG feed mainly on aquatic resources from the Lake of Tunis (Chikly colony) and the Gulf of Gabès (Thyna and Kneis colonies). Moreover, the enriched δ¹⁵N found in feathers from Chikly are attributed to the eutrophication of the Lake of Tunis. Hg and Se were higher in Kneis and Thyna colonies, in agreement with the higher consumption of marine resources and the greater availability of these elements resulting from the impact of the industrial activity in the area. Pb concentrations were higher in Chikly, related to the heavier traffic around the Lake of Tunis and the use of leaded gasoline.     

Contaminants in molting long-tailed ducks and nesting common eiders in the Beaufort Sea

In 2000, we collected blood from long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) and blood and eggs from common eiders (Somateria mollissima) at near-shore islands in the vicinity of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and at a reference area east of Prudhoe Bay. Blood was analyzed for trace elements and egg contents were analyzed for trace elements, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Except for Se (mean=36.1 microg/g dry weight (dw) in common eiders and 48.8 microg/g dw in long-tailed ducks), concentrations of trace elements in blood were low and, although several trace elements differed between areas, they were not consistently higher at one location. In long-tailed ducks, Se in blood was positively correlated with activities of two serum enzymes, suggestive of an adverse effect of increasing Se levels on the liver. Although common eiders had high Se concentrations in their blood, Se residues in eggs were low (mean=2.28 microg/g dw). Strontium and Ni were higher in eggs near Prudhoe Bay than at the reference area, but none of the other trace elements or organic contaminants in eggs differed between locations. Concentrations of Ca, Sr, Mg, and Ni differed among eggs having no visible development, early-stage embryos, or late-stage embryos. Residues of 4,4'-DDE, cis-nonachlor, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, oxychlordane, and trans-nonachlor were found in 100% of the common eider eggs, but at low concentrations (means of 2.35-7.45 microg/kg wet weight (ww)). The mean total PCB concentration in eggs was 15.12 microg/kg ww. Of PAHs tested for, residues of 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene and naphthalene were found in 100% of the eggs, at mean concentrations of 0.36-0.89 microg/kg ww.     

The extent of chronic marine oil pollution in southeastern Newfoundland waters assessed through beached bird surveys 1984-1999

The Grand Banks south of Newfoundland provide year-round feeding habitat for tens of millions of seabirds of numerous species, an abundance and diversity unparalleled in the North Atlantic. Dense ship traffic routes traverse this productive environment as vessels travel the Great Circle Route between Europe and North America. Oiled seabirds have washed up on beaches in Newfoundland for many decades. Most oil on their feathers is heavy fuel oil mixed with lubricants, the mixture found in bilges of large vessels. Beached bird surveys conducted between 1984 and 1999 indicate that chronic oil pollution along the southeast coast of Newfoundland is among the highest in world. Sixty two percent of all dead birds found over the 16-year period had oil on their feathers; 74% during the last five years. Auks, especially Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia), are the most affected. The mean number of oiled birds per kilometer was 0.77 and thus higher than in other regions of the world during a comparable time period (0.02-0.33). Oiling rates correlated with weather patterns and degree of the regional murre hunt, indicate that illegal dumping of oil may occur year round, and point out that it is critical to assess all possible environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing the number of clean and oiled dead birds found on beaches before inferring trends in oiling rates over time.     

基于DNA条形码技术的浮游动物休眠卵种类鉴定:以洞庭湖流域常德柳叶湖为例

以洞庭湖流域的典型城市湖泊常德柳叶湖表层沉积物中浮游动物休眠卵为研究对象,采用DNA条形码技术进行种类鉴定,从191个休眠卵中成功获得101条有效序列,鉴定成功率约为53%.根据NCBI数据库比对成功鉴定休眠卵9科12属11种,另有6个样品鉴定到属或科;3个类群的种间遗传距离平均为种内遗传距离的68倍,表明可以利用线粒体细胞色素c氧化酶第一亚基编码基因(COⅠ)对休眠卵进行有效物种鉴定.通过Neighbor-Joining树进行系统发育分析,发现所鉴定的物种与其参比序列聚类为一支,所有物种分别聚为独立的一个支系,不同物种可有效区分.研究结果均表明,COⅠ基因作为DNA条形码可以实现沉积物中浮游动物休眠卵的物种鉴定.     

Comparison of the lethal effect of CO2 and acidification on red sea bream (Pagrus major) during the early developmental stages

To compare the acute toxicity of CO(2)- and HCl-acidified seawater, eggs and larvae of a marine fish, Pagrus major, were exposed to seawater equilibrated with CO(2)-enriched gas mixtures (CO(2)=5% or 10%, O(2)=20.95% balanced with N(2)) or seawater acidified with 1 N HCl at two pH levels (pH 6.2 (=5% CO(2)) and 5.9 (=10% CO(2))) for 6 h (eggs) or 24 h (larvae). Mortalities of eggs were 85.8% (CO(2)) and 3.6% (HCl) at pH 6.2, and 97.4% (CO(2)) and 0.9% (HCl) at pH 5.9, while those of larvae were 61.2% (CO(2)) and 1.6% (HCl) at pH 6.2, and 100% (CO(2)) and 5.0% (HCl) at pH 5.9. Thus, previous research on the effects of acidified seawater on marine organisms, as a substitute for CO(2), has largely underestimated the toxic effects of CO(2).     

Beobachtungen über die Eientwicklung des Blaufelchens (Coregonus lavaretus wartmanni) im Bodensee-Obersee

Lake Constance whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus wartmanni) spawn in the water column. The demersal eggs develop at the mud-water interface at depths down to 250 m. Samples were taken by dredging areas of 100 m². Mortality, developmental stages and rate of malformations were determined. Incubation period lasts roughly from December to March. The percentage of dead eggs increased from 52% in January to 74% in February. Among living eggs deformations of the trunk raised from 4% to 31% during the same time. It is assumed that larvae with anomalities of the trunk will have no survival chances. Total losses were 91.7% in the average of all samples.      

西藏拉果错卤虫：2营养成分

卤虫包括成体,无节幼体和卤虫卵,蛋白质,氨基酸,脂肪酶等营养成分的含量是评价卤虫质量的主要标准,因为摄食动物饵粒效果取决于氨基酸,脂肪酸的组成与含量,西藏拉果错卤虫的营养成分含量较高,１９９６、１９９７年盐湖研究中心连续取样测定,其蛋白质含量成本接近２０％,无节幼体约５５％,脱壳卵近５０％;粗脂肪成体３％,无节幼 和脱壳超过８７％,三种高级不饱和脂肪酸（２０：３,２０：４,２０：５）ＨＵＦＡ含量。     

Effect of moult on crude oil load in a jackass penguin Spheniscus demersus

Induced moult has been suggested as a technique for rehabilitating oiled seabirds. An oiled jackass penguin underwent natural moult in captivity. Analyses of oil extracted from premoult and postmoult feathers indicate little qualitative difference, with significant amounts of oil transferred from premoult to postmoult feathers. Inducing moult, therefore does not appear to be viable for cleaning oiled seabirds.     

Spawning and egg development ofPerca fluviatilis in Lake Zürich

Egg survival and development rate of perch eggs were investigated in Lake Zürich, Switzerland. A transplant experiment was carried out to examine whether individual females choose different depths for spawning because of an expected advantage for the development of their eggs. Egg masses which had been deposited on fir branches stuck into the ground of the lake were either left untouched or transplanted horizontally or vertically at depths of 3 and 6 m. Spawning occurred between 28 April and 9 June 1987. Egg survival to the eye pigment stage (EPS) was high in all treatments ( , minimum 92%). There was no significant difference in egg survival between treatments, suggesting that females do not choose the spawning site because of individual fitness differences related to the depth of spawning. Early egg masses which were exposed to lower temperatures developed more slowly (120–140 day degrees to the EPS) than late egg masses which were exposed to higher temperatures (80–100 day degrees). The observed differences are in agreement with the hypothesis of a constant sum of day degrees necessary for egg development using the corrected formula derived by Guma'a (1978) which deducts an estimated threshold temperature of 5°C below which development of perch eggs effectively stops, from the actual temperature.     

Ore dust pollution,hatching and egg temperatures in birds

Dry ore dust pollution decreased the hatching success of fowl eggs from 76% in the control to 57% when manganese ore dust and 54% when iron ore dust were used. Daily wetting of eggs aggravated the ore dust effect. When eggs were covered with ore dust, the heat exchange properties of eggs exposed to direct sunlight were significantly changed. Manganese and iron ore dust covered eggs heated and cooled at a significantly faster rates than the controls. The interior uppermost area may reach a temperature of 54°C after 60 minutes in the sun. Manganese ore dust covered brown eggs were the most affected and white eggs the least. Ore dust pollution therefore poses a threat to the hatching success of bird eggs.     

Trace metal content in the American oyster

Information about the transfer of pollutants from adult aquatic animals to their progeny is relatively unknown. The present study was designed to measure the transfer of metals from adults to eggs of the American oyster. Two groups of oysters containing significantly different levels of copper and cadmium were induced to spawn, the eggs were collected and trace metal contents measured. The eggs from both groups of oysters contained the same amount of copper, while cadmium levels were below detectable limits in both groups of eggs. Silver, lead, and zinc concentrations also were determined. The concentrations of these metals were similar for both groups of adults and eggs; thus, no conclusion could be made about the transfer of these three metals from adults to eggs of oysters.     

Tissue distribution of mercury in normal and abnormal young Common Terns

Sixteen young Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) from colonies on the south shore of Long Island, New York, had fairly consistent levels and tissue distribution patterns of total mercury in blood, liver, kidney, muscle, brain and feathers. Levels were highest in liver, blood and feathers, and were lower in muscle and brain. The latter two tissues showed low variability across birds, suggesting that they are more static repositories for mercurial compounds. Only slight, non-significant increases were detected in chicks 10–30 days old compared with 1–9 day olds. Four chicks with abnormal feather loss had significantly higher mercury levels than 12 normal chicks. The average intercorrelation among tissues was highest for liver (mean r² = 0.40) and blood (mean r² = 0.38). Liver is probably the single best tissue to serve as a surrogate for all others, due to high correlation with other tissues, large size, and ready availability. Use of a single tissue allows one to focus a study in greater detail and at lower cost than if several tissues were assayed.     

西藏拉果错卤虫──2.营养成分

卤虫包括成体、无节幼体和卤虫卵,蛋白质、氨基酸、脂肪酸等营养成分的含量是评价卤虫质量的主要标准,因为摄食动物饵料效果取决于氨基酸、脂肪酸的组成与含量.西藏拉果错卤虫的营养成分含量较高,1996、1997年盐湖研究中心连续取样测定,其蛋白质含量成体接近20%,无节幼体约 55%,脱壳卵近 50%;粗脂肪成体 3%,无节幼体和脱壳卵均为 15%左右;氨基酸总量成体 18%,无节幼体近 50%,脱壳卵 44%左右在对 1997年样品进行脂肪酸测定后发现,成体不饱和脂肪酸达83%,无节幼体91%以上,脱壳卵超过87%;三种高级不饱和脂肪酸(20∶2,20∶4,20∶5)HUFA含量:成体近8%,幼体和脱壳卵均超过20%;三种必需脂肪酸(18∶2,18∶3,20∶5)EFA含量:成体为16%,幼体21%,脱壳卵26%;无节幼体和脱壳卵的二十碳五烯酸(20∶5)EPA含量均在 18%以上,较我国新疆、青海、内蒙古、 山西、河北地区的盐湖卤虫和天津、海南盐田卤虫的(20:5)EPA含量高,脱壳卵的不饱和脂肪酸总量比已知的国内外其它盐湖卤虫的相应指数高