Persistent organic pollutants and mercury in merlin and golden eagle eggs [PBMS] ...

• Main Authors: Walker, L.A., Potter, E.D., Shore, R.F., Chaplow, J.S., Pereira, M.G.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: NERC Environmental Information Data Centre 2016
• Subjects: United Kingdom; Pollution; Falco columbarius; Aquila chrysaetos; golden eagle
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5285/ad38a087-01a3-4865-b07c-a088ffb65916; https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/ad38a087-01a3-4865-b07c-a088ffb65916

This dataset contains concentrations of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and mercury (Hg) in merlin and golden eagle egg contents collected as part of the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS). In addition to residue data, for each record the year and region in which the egg was collected, and the egg shell index are recorded. The PBMS is a long-term, national monitoring scheme that quantifies the concentrations of contaminants in the livers and eggs of selected species of predatory and fish-eating birds in Britain. Levels of contaminants are monitored to determine variations between species and regions, changes over time and effects on individual birds and their populations. The Scheme is currently funded by CEH, Natural England, the Environment Agency (EA) and the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU). ... : The PBMS monitors contaminant concentrations principally in liver tissues and in addled or deserted eggs. The choice of matrix depends on the likely site of toxicological significance for any particular compound and/or the species of bird monitored. For example, SGAR residues are measured in the liver because it is the target organ for these compounds (where they interfere with the production of clotting factors) and contains high-affinity binding sites to which SGARs bind. Conversely some contaminants are embryotoxins and monitoring residues of these compounds in eggs is therefore more appropriate. Furthermore, the populations of some species, such as golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and merlin (Falco columbarius), are at low densities in Britain and it is not possible to collect sufficient carcasses each year to obtain a statistically robust sample for monitoring liver concentrations. However, it is possible to collect reasonably large numbers of failed eggs for these species. Thus, monitoring contaminant ...