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Trace elements and organochlorines in surf scoters from San Francisco Bay, 1985

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Abstract

Surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) were collected from 6 locations in San Francisco Bay during January and March 1985. Overall, mean concentrations of cadmium and zinc were higher in livers of scoters from the southern region of the Bay, whereas mean iron and lead were higher in those from the northern Bay region. Mean concentrations of arsenic, copper, lead, zinc, aluminum (January only) and iron (January) also differed among individual locations. Mean concentrations of copper and zinc increased, arsenic decreased, and cadmium remained the same between January and March. Selenium and mercury concentrations in scoter livers were not significantly correlated (P>0.05), but cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys were positively correlated (P<0.0001), and body weight was negatively related to mercury concentration in the liver (P<0.05). Body weight differed among locations but not between January and March. Body weight was correlated with lipid content (P<0.0001). DDE and PCBs were each detected in 34 of 36 scoter carcasses. DDE increased significantly between January and March at Richmond Harbor, but BCBs did not differ between January and March at the 3 locations that could be tested.

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Author notes

  1. Harry M. Ohlendorf

    Present address: CH2M Hill, 3840 Rosin Court, Suite 110, 95834, Sacramento, CA, USA

  2. Roy W. Lowe

    Present address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 97365, Newport, OR, USA

  3. Thomas E. Harvey

    Present address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, 95825, Sacramento, CA, USA

  4. Paul R. Kelly

    Present address: California Department of Fish and Game, Non-game Heritage Program, 1416 Ninth Street (Room 1225), 95814, Sacramento, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Pacific Coast Research Station, USA

    Harry M. Ohlendorf & Katherine C. Marois

  2. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA

    Harry M. Ohlendorf & Katherine C. Marois

  3. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 524, 94560, Newark, CA, USA

    Roy W. Lowe & Thomas E. Harvey

  4. California Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 47, 94599, Yountville, CA, USA

    Paul R. Kelly

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  1. Harry M. Ohlendorf
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Ohlendorf, H.M., Marois, K.C., Lowe, R.W. et al. Trace elements and organochlorines in surf scoters from San Francisco Bay, 1985. Environ Monit Assess 18, 105–122 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394973

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