Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Exposure of insects and insectivorous birds to metals and other elements from abandoned mine tailings in three Summit County drainages, Colorado

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Concentrations of 31 metals, metalloids, and other elements were measured in insects and insectivorous bird tissues from three drainages with different geochemistry and mining histories in Summit Co., Colorado, in 2003, 2004, and 2005. In insect samples, all 25 elements that were analyzed in all years increased in both Snake and Deer Creeks in the mining impacted areas compared to areas above and below the mining impacted areas. This distribution of elements was predicted from known or expected sediment contamination resulting from abandoned mine tailings in those drainages. Element concentrations in avian liver tissues were in concordance with levels in insects, that is with concentrations higher in mid-drainage areas where mine tailings were present compared to both upstream and downstream locations; these differences were not always statistically different, however. The lack of statistically significant differences in liver tissues, except for a few elements, was due to relatively small sample sizes and because many of these elements are essential and therefore well regulated by the bird’s homeostatic processes. Most elements were at background concentrations in avian liver tissue except for Pb which was elevated at mid-drainage sites to levels where δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity was inhibited at other mining sites in Colorado. Lead exposure, however, was not at toxic levels. Fecal samples were not a good indication of what elements birds ingested and were potentially exposed to.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alloway, B. J., & Davies, B. E. (1971). Trace element content of soils affected by base metal mining in Wales. Geoderma, 5, 197–208.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Apodaca, L. E., Driver, N. E., & Bails, J. B. (2000). Occurrence, transport, and fate of trace elements, Blue River Basin, Summit County, Colorado: An integrated approach. Environmental Geology, 39, 901–913.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Axtmann, E. V., & Luoma, S. N. (1991). Large-scale distribution of metal contamination in the fine-grained sediments of the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A. Applied Geochemistry, 6, 75–88.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beiglbock, C., Steineck, T., Tataruch, F., & Ruf, T. (2002). Environmental cadmium induces histopathological changes in kidneys of roe deer. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 21, 1811–1816.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, C. A., Koster, M. D., Chek, A. A., Hussell, D. J. T., & Jock, K. (1995). Chlorinated hydrocarbons and mercury in sediments, red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) from wetlands in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 14, 491–501.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blancher, P. J., & McNicol, D. K. (1991). Tree swallow diet in relation to wetland acidity. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 69, 2629–2637.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blus, L. J., Henny, C. J., Hoffman, D. J., & Grove, R. A. (1995). Accumulation in and effects of lead and cadmium on waterfowl and passerines in northern Idaho. Environmental Pollution, 89, 311–318.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borgå, K., Campbell, L., Gabrielsen, G. W., Norstrom, R. J., Muir, D. C. G., & Fisk, A. T. (2006). Regional and species specific bioaccumulation of major and trace elements in Arctic seabirds. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 25, 2927–2936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, P. D., McKnight, D. M., & Bencala, K. E. (2001). Annual maxima in Zn concentrations during spring snowmelt in streams impacted by mine drainage. Environmental Geology, 40, 1447–1454.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CEM Corporation (1994). Microwave-assisted acid digestion of biological tissue: Applications Manual for the CEM Microwave Sample Preparation System, Application Note BI-3.

  • Clarke, K. R., & Warwick, R. M. (2001). Change in marine communities: An approach to statistical analysis and interpretation (2nd ed.). Plymouth, UK: PRIMER-E.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crock, J. G., Seal, R. R. II, Gough, L. P., & Weber-Scannell, P. (2003). Results of elemental and stable isotopic measurements, and dietary composition of Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) collected in 2000 and 2001 from the Fortymile River watershed, Alaska. U. S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2003-03-057, Denver, CO.

  • Custer, C. M., Custer, T. W., Archuleta, A. S., Coppock, L. C., Swartz, C. D., & Bickham, J. W. (2003a). A mining impacted stream: Exposure and effects of lead and other trace elements on tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting in the upper Arkansas River basin, Colorado. In D. J. Hoffman, B. A. Rattner, G. A. Burton Jr., & J. Cairns Jr. (Eds.), Handbook of ecotoxicology (2nd ed., pp. 787–812). Boca Raton, FL: CRC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Custer, C. M., Custer, T. W., Dummer, P. M., & Munney, K. L. (2003b). Exposure and effects of chemical contaminants on tree swallows nesting along the Housatonic River, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA, 1998–2000. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 22, 1605–1621.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Custer, C. M., Custer, T. W., & Hill, E. F. (2007a). Mercury exposure and effects on cavity-nesting birds from the Carson River, Nevada. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 52, 129–136.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Custer, C. M., Custer, T. W., Rosiu, C. J., Melancon, M. J., Bickham, J. W., & Matson, C. W. (2005). Exposure and effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nesting along the Woonasquatucket River, Rhode Island, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 24, 93–109.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Custer, C. M., Custer, T. W., Warburton, D., Hoffman, D. J., Bickham, J. W., & Matson, C. W. (2006b). Trace element concentrations and bioindicator responses in tree swallows from northwestern Minnesota. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 118, 247–266.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Custer, T. W., Custer, C. M., Dickerson, K., Allen, K., Melancon, M. J., & Schmidt, L. J. (2001). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, trace elements and monooxygenase activity in birds nesting on the North Platte River, Casper, Wyoming, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 20, 624–631.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Custer, T. W., Custer, C. M., Goatcher, B. L., Melancon, M. J., Matson, C. W., & Bickham, J. W. (2006a). Contaminant exposure of barn swallows nesting on Bayou D’Inde, Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana, USA. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 121, 543–560.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Custer, T. W., Custer, C. M., Larson, S., & Dickerson, K. K. (2002). Arsenic concentrations in house wrens from Whitewood Creek, South Dakota, USA. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 68, 517–524.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Custer, T. W., Dummer, P. M., Custer, C. M., Li, A. U., Warburton, D., Melancon, M. J., et al. (2007b). Water level management and contaminant exposure to tree swallows nesting on the Upper Mississippi River. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 133, 335–345.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dauwe, T., Janssens, E., Bervoets, L., Blust, R., & Eens, M. (2004). Relationships between metal concentrations in great tit nestlings and their environment and food. Environmental Pollution, 131, 373–380.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, N. T., & Cummins, B. T. (1981). An appraisal of the new trace elements. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B, 294, 171–184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deacon, J. R., & Driver, N. E. (1999). Distribution of trace elements in streambed sediment associated with mining activities in the upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado, USA, 1995–96. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 37, 7–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DeWeese, L. R., Cohen, R. R., & Stafford, C. J. (1985). Organochlorine residues and eggshell measurements for tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor in Colorado. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 35, 767–775.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eisler, R. (1985). Selenium hazards to fish, wildlife, and invertebrates: A Synoptic review. Contaminant Hazard Reviews Report 5, Biological Report 85(1.5). US Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, MD.

  • Eisler, R. (1987). Mercury hazards to fish, wildlife, and invertebrates: A synoptic review. Biol. Report 85(1.10), US Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, MD.

  • Eisler, R. (1988). Lead hazards to fish, wildlife, and invertebrates: A synoptic review. Biol. Report 85(1.14), US Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, MD.

  • Eisler, R. (2000). Handbook of chemical risk assessment: Health hazards to humans, plants, and animals (vol. 1, Chapter 2 Chromium). Boca Raton, FL: Lewis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emsley, J. (2002). Nature’s building blocks. Oxford, UK: Oxford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fey, D. L., Church, S. E., Unruh, D. M., & Bove, D. J. (2002). Water and sediment study of the Snake River watershed, Colorado, Oct. 9–12, 2001. US Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-330, Denver, CO.

  • Franson, J. C. (1996). Interpretation of tissue lead residues in birds other than waterfowl. In W. N. Beyer, G. H. Heinz, & A. W. Redmon-Norwood (Eds.), Environmental contaminants in wildlife interpreting tissue concentrations (pp. 265–279). Boca Raton, FL: Lewis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furness, R. W. (1996). Cadmium in birds. In W. N. Beyer, G. H. Heinz, & A. W. Redmon-Norwood (Eds.), Environmental contaminants in wildlife (pp. 389–404). Boca Raton, FL: Lewis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golub, M. S. (2006). Intrauterine and reproductive toxicity of nutritionally essential metals. In M. S. Golub (Ed.), Metals, fertility, and reproductive toxicity (pp. 93–115). Boca Raton, FL: CRC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greve, A. I., Spahr, N. E., Van Metre, P. C., & Wilson, J. T. (2001). Identification of water-quality trends using sediment cores from Dillon Reservoir, Summit County, Colorado. Water Resources Investigations Report, 01-4022, Denver, CO.

  • Grue, C. E., Hoffman, D. J., Beyer, W. N., & Franson, J. C. (1986). Lead concentrations and reproductive success in European starlings Stumus vulgaris nesting within highway roadside verges. Environmental Pollution Series A, 42, 157–182.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grue, C. E., O’Shea, T. J., & Hoffman, D. J. (1984). Lead concentrations and reproduction in highway nesting barn swallows. Condor, 86, 383–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heinz, G. H. (1996). Selenium in birds. In W. N. Beyer, G. H. Heinz, & A. W. Redmon-Norwood (Eds.), Environmental contaminants in wildlife interpreting tissue concentrations (pp. 447–458). Boca Raton, FL: Lewis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinz, G. H., & Hoffman, D. J. (1998). Methylmercury chloride and selenomethionine interactions on health and reproduction in mallards. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 17, 139–145.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, D. J., & Heinz, G. H. (1998). Effects of mercury and selenium on glutathione metabolism and oxidative stress in mallard ducks. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 17, 161–166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, G. D., Audet, D. J., Kern, J. W., LeCaptain, L. L., Strickland, M. D., Hoffman, D. J., et al. (1999). Lead exposure in passerines inhabiting lead-contaminated floodplains in the Coeur d’Alene River basin, Idaho, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 18, 1190–1194.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, K. R., & Crock, J. G. (1987). Determination of mercury in geological materials by continuous-flow, cold-vapor, atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Analytical Letters, 20, 899–908.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, E. Y., Goto, R., Tanabe, S., Tanaka, H., & Tatsukawa, R. (1998). Distribution of 14 elements in tissues and organs of oceanic seabirds. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 35, 638–645.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • King, K. A., Custer, T. W., & Weaver, D. A. (1994). Reproductive success of barn swallows nesting near a selenium-contaminated lake in east Texas, USA. Environmental Pollution, 84, 53–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraus, M. L. (1989). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in pre-fledgling tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 43, 407–414.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larlson, J. R., Likens, G. E., Fitzpatrick, J. W., & Crock, J. G. (2000). Cadmium toxicity among wildlife in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Nature, 406, 181–183.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leonzio, C., & Massi, A. (1989). Metal biomonitoring in bird eggs: A critical experiment. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 43, 402–406.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyon, J. S., Hilliard, T. J., & Bethell, T. N. (1993). Burden of Gilt. Washington, DC: Mineral Policy Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCallum, D. A., Grundel, R., & Dahlsten, D. L. (1999). Mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli). In A. Poole, & F. Gill (Eds.), The birds of North America. No. 453. Philadelphia, PA: The Birds of North America.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKnight, D., & Bencala, K. E. (1988). Diel variations in the iron chemistry in an acidic stream in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, U.S.A. Arctic and Alpine Research, 20, 492–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mengelkoch, J. M., Niemi, G. J., & Regal, R. R. (2004). Diet of the nestling tree swallow. Condor, 106, 423–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyholm, N. E. I. (1994). Heavy metal tissue levels, impact on breeding and nestling development in natural populations of pied flycatcher (Aves) in the pollution gradient from a smelter. In M. H. Donker, H. Eljsackers, & F. Helmback (Eds.), Ecotoxicology of soil organisms (pp. 373–382). Boca Raton, FL: SETAC Spec. Publ. Ser. Lewis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyholm, N. E. I. (1995). Monitoring of terrestrial environmental metal pollution by means of free-living insectivorous birds. Annali di Chimica, 85, 343–351.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, L. (2003). Toxic metals and antioxidants: Part II. The role of antioxidants in arsenic and cadmium toxicity. Alternative Medical Review, 8, 106–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, H. C., & Hylland, K. (2007). Metallothionein levels in willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) populations with different natural loads of cadmium. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 53, 142–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pendleton, G. W., Whitworth, M. R., & Olsen, G. H. (1995). Accumulation and loss of arsenic and boron alone and in combination, in mallard ducks. Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 14, 1357–1364.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puls, R. (1994). Mineral levels in animal health (2nd ed.). Clearbrook, BC, Canada: Sherpa International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinney, T. E., & Ankney, C. D. (1985). Prey size selection by tree swallows. Auk, 102, 245–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rattner, B. A., McKernan, M. A., Eisenreich, K. M., Link, W. A., Olsen, G. H., Hoffman, D. J., et al. (2006). Toxicity and hazard of vanadium to mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 69, 331–351.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scheuhammer, A. M. (1987). The chronic toxicity of aluminium, cadmium, mercury, and lead in birds: A review. Environmental Pollution, 46, 263–295.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, G. C. (1983). Organochlorine pesticide and PCB residues in eggs and nestlings of tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor, in central Alberta. Canadian Field-Naturalist, 98, 258–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, S. (1956). Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill Book.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R., & Rohlf, F. J. (1981). Biometry the principles and practice of statistics in biological research (2nd ed.). New York: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spahn, S. A., & Sherry, T. W. (1999). Cadmium and lead exposure associated with reduced growth rates, poorer fledging success of little blue heron chicks (Egretta caerulea) in south Louisiana wetlands. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 37, 377–384.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taggart, J. E. (Ed.) (2002). Analytical methods for chemical analysis of geologic and other materials, U.S. Geological Survey. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-223, Denver, CO.

  • Yang, C. (2006). Effects of acid mine drainage on nestling tree swallows. MS thesis, University of Colorado, Boulder.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, US Geological Survey, 2630 Fanta Reed Rd., La Crosse, WI, 54603, USA

    Christine M. Custer

  2. 2838 Falcon Point Rd., Lafayette, CO, 80026, USA

    Chi Yang

  3. Crustal Imaging and Characterization Team, Denver Federal Center, US Geological Survey, Denver, CO, 80225, USA

    James G. Crock, Kathleen S. Smith & Phillip L. Hageman

  4. National Wildlife Health Center, US Geological Survey, 6006 Schroeder Rd., Madison, WI, 53711, USA

    Valerie Shearn-Bochsler

Authors
  1. Christine M. Custer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chi Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. James G. Crock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Valerie Shearn-Bochsler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kathleen S. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Phillip L. Hageman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christine M. Custer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Custer, C.M., Yang, C., Crock, J.G. et al. Exposure of insects and insectivorous birds to metals and other elements from abandoned mine tailings in three Summit County drainages, Colorado. Environ Monit Assess 153, 161–177 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0346-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0346-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation