A contaminant evaluation of interior least tern and piping plover eggs and chicks of the Missouri River, South Dakota
Ruelle R. 1991. A contaminant evaluation of interior least tern and piping plover eggs and chicks of the Missouri River, South Dakota. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Enchancement. Pierre, SD
'...Least tern (Sterna antillarum), a federally endangered species, and piping plover (Charadrius melodus), a federally threatened species, nest on Missouri River Islands. Addled eggs of both species were collected during the 1988, 1989, and 1990 nesting seasons and were analyzed for selenium and other inorganics...It is not know what impact selenium has on the eggs. However, the selenium concentrations are elevated enough, based on studies conducted with other birds, to cause embryo toxicity. Low concentrations of PCBs were present in the eggs. There are no known PCB sources in South Dakota. The females may be exposed to PCBs on the witnering grounds or during migration.'
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Ruelle, Richard
- Date of Issue
- 1991
- Publisher
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Enchancement
- Units
- GATE
- Keywords
- Piping Plover