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Biological Effects of Marine PCB Contamination on Black Guillemot Nestlings at Saglek, Labrador: Liver Biomarkers

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Abstract

Black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) in Saglek Bay, Labrador have elevated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations due to marine sediment contamination around a former military site. We measured liver biomarkers and ΣPCB concentrations in 31 nestlings from three PCB-exposure groups: Reference group (range: 15–46 ng/g liver, wet wt.), moderately exposed Islands group (24–150 ng/g), and highly exposed Beach group (170–6200 ng/g). Biomarker responses were dose-dependent and in some cases sex-dependent. Livers of female Beach nestlings were enlarged 36% relative to Reference females. In both sexes, Beach nestlings had liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities elevated 79% and liver retinol concentrations reduced 47%. Retinyl palmitate concentrations were reduced 50% but only among female nestlings. Island nestlings also exhibited EROD induction (57%) and reductions in retinol and retinyl palmitate concentrations (28 and 58%, respectively). Liver lipid content increased with ΣPCBs in both sexes, and correlated with liver mass in males. Malic enzyme activity and porphyrin concentrations showed little association with ΣPCBs. Although similar associations between liver biomarkers and organochlorine exposure in fish-eating birds are well documented, typically exposures involve multiple contaminants and there is uncertainty about specific PCB effects. Our findings indicate that liver biomarkers respond to relatively low PCB exposures (∼73 ng/g liver) in guillemots.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Sciences Group, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada, K7K 7B4

    Zou Zou A. Kuzyk & Jason P. Stow

  2. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Mount Pearl, NL, Canada, A1N 4T3

    Neil M. Burgess

  3. Canadian Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Research Center, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0H3

    Glen A. Fox

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  1. Zou Zou A. Kuzyk
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  2. Neil M. Burgess
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  3. Jason P. Stow
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  4. Glen A. Fox
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Correspondence to Neil M. Burgess.

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Kuzyk, Z.Z.A., Burgess, N.M., Stow, J.P. et al. Biological Effects of Marine PCB Contamination on Black Guillemot Nestlings at Saglek, Labrador: Liver Biomarkers. Ecotoxicology 12, 183–197 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022550709962

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