Organochlorine insecticides and mercury in predatory bird livers (PBMS) ...

• Main Authors: Walker, L.A., Potter, E.D., Shore, R.F., Chaplow, J.S., Pereira, M.G.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre 2016
• Subjects: predatory; birds; pollutant; contaminant; Eurasian Sparrowhawk; kestrel; heron; persistent Organic Pollutants; POPs; Residue; organochlorine; insecticide; pesticide; DDE; DDT; HEOD; TDE; HCH; Hepox; Lindane; Aldrin; Dieldrin; liver; Predatory Birds Monitoring Scheme; PBMS; Falco tinnunculus; Accipiter nisus; Ardea cinerea; Great Britain; Aquila chrysaetos; golden eagle
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5285/e39e3afb-eb90-4a7d-921d-e03b1a0f414d; https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/e39e3afb-eb90-4a7d-921d-e03b1a0f414d

Data comprise concentrations of organochlorine insecticides and mercury in sparrowhawk, kestrel and heron livers taken during post mortem from deceased birds of prey sent into the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) by the public. The data are presented as micrograms of contaminant per gram of liver tissue (wet weight). 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 ...