SREL Reprint #3603

Patterns of trace element accumulation in waterfowl restricted to impoundments holding coal combustion waste

James C. Leaphart1,2, Ricki E. Oldenkamp1,2, Albert L. Bryan Jr.1, Robert A. Kennamer1,
and James C. Beasley1,2

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
2Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA

Abstract: Waterfowl are often exposed to and readily accumulate anthropogenic contaminants when foraging in polluted environments. Settling impoundments containing coal combustion waste (CCW) enriched in trace elements such as arsenic (As), selenium (Se), and mercury (Hg) are often used by free-ranging migratory and resident waterfowl and represent potential sources for contaminant uptake. To assess accumulation of CCW contaminants, we experimentally restricted waterfowl to a CCW-contaminated impoundment and quantified trace element burdens in blood, muscle, and liver tissues over known periods of exposure (between 3 and 92 d). From these data we developed models 1) to predict elemental bioaccumulation with increased exposure time, and 2) to predict muscle/liver burdens based on concentrations in blood as a nondestructive sampling method. Although Hg and As did not bioaccumulate in our waterfowl, we observed an increase in Se concentrations in muscle, liver, and blood tissues over the duration of our experiment. Furthermore, we found that blood may be used as an effective nondestructive sampling alternative to predict muscle and liver tissue concentrations in birds contaminated with Se and As through dietary exposure. These data provide unique insights into accumulation rates of contaminants for waterfowl utilizing habitats contaminated with CCW and demonstrate the efficacy of nonlethal sampling of waterfowl to quantify contaminant exposure.

Keywords: Arsenic; Bioaccumulation; Heavy metals; Mercury; Ring-necked ducks; Selenium

SREL Reprint #3603

Leaphart, J. C., R. E. Oldenkamp, A. L. Bryan Jr., R. A. Kennamer, and J. C. Beasley. 2020. Patterns of trace element accumulation in waterfowl restricted to impoundments holding coal combustion waste. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 39(5): 1052-1059.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).