Organochlorine and mercury residues in eggs of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) from a long term study in the eastern Mediterranean

Organochlorine and mercury residues were analyzed in unhatched eggs of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) (2002–2012) in central Greece. Concentrations graded as ∑DDTs > ∑PCBs > HCB > ∑HCHs > ∑Chlordanes. Temporal declines were found in the concentrations of ∑DDTs, ∑HCHs and ∑Chlordanes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 2015-12, Vol.207, p.196-204
Main Authors: Goutner, Vassilis, Bakaloudis, Dimitrios E., Papakosta, Malamati A., Vlachos, Christos G., Mattig, Frank R., Pijanowska, Ursula, Becker, Peter H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Birds
Clutch Size
Contaminants
Eggs
Environmental Monitoring
Falco naumanni
Falconiformes
Food Chain
Greece
Lesser kestrel
Mediterranean Region
Mercury
Mercury (metal)
Mercury - analysis
Organochlorines
Ovum - chemistry
Pollutants
Pollution abatement
Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis
Reproduction
Residues
Trends
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Summary:Organochlorine and mercury residues were analyzed in unhatched eggs of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) (2002–2012) in central Greece. Concentrations graded as ∑DDTs > ∑PCBs > HCB > ∑HCHs > ∑Chlordanes. Temporal declines were found in the concentrations of ∑DDTs, ∑HCHs and ∑Chlordanes but not in Hg, HCB and ∑PCBs. TEQs of PCBs and their degree of metabolisation showed no time trend. The reproductive parameters showed neither a temporal trend nor a significant year effect. No relationships occurred between the reproductive parameters per year and nest type (natural, artificial) with any of the contaminants analyzed except HCB influenced by year and clutch size. Low pollutant concentrations suggest that either lesser kestrels ranged across the year in unpolluted areas or may be caused by their short food chain. The low concentrations seem improbable to have affected the reproduction of these birds, although critical levels are still to be defined. •Persistent organochlorine and mercury residues were detected in lesser kestrel's eggs.•∑DDTs, ∑HCHs and ∑Chlordanes showed temporal declining trend; Hg, HCB and ∑PCBs did not.•HCB residue concentrations increased with larger clutch sizes.•Low concentrations of pollutants did not seem to affect reproduction. Low concentrations of pollutants may not affect lesser kestrel's reproduction.
ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2015.09.021