Contaminant Burdens and Reproductive Rates of Bald Eagles Breeding in Maine
Welch L. 1992. Contaminant Burdens and Reproductive Rates of Bald Eagles Breeding in Maine. National Park Service
Report summarizes 1991 and 1992 results of eagle contaminant research. Objectives of research include: '1) determine the production level of all known pairs of bald eagles breeding in Maine. 2) evaluate relationships of contaminant residues in blood samples from nesting bald eagles with regional variations in eagle productivity, variable trophic status of the adults, and contaminant residues in prey from that area. 3) determine correlations between mercury residues in feathers and prey items to blood levels of mercury in nestlings. Levels will be compared to individual nest site and regional productivity. 4) identify the occurrence and residue levels of environmental contaminants in unhatched bald eagle eggs. 5) determine the current deviation of eggshell thickness from the 'precontaminant' era standard. 6) determine correlations among contaminant residue levels in tissue samples obtained from eagle carcasses to time of exposure (age of the bird) and regional variations in productivity. /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /ACADIA NATIONAL PARK/
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Welch, L.J.
- Date of Issue
- 1992
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- Acadia National Park, Blood, Breeding, Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (PCB, DDE, DDT & DDE, HCB), Mercury (Hg), Nests & Nesting, Pollution, Productivity, Threatened & Endangered Species