Passerine Exposure to Metal Contaminants from Oilsands Mining in the Athabasca Region of Northeastern Alberta, Canada

Date
2015-02-02
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Abstract
I characterized passerine exposure to metals from waste-materials associated with oilsands mining. I measured metal concentrations in whole blood of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), Tennessee warblers (Oreothlypis peregrina), and chipping sparrows (Spizella passerina). Additionally, I measured metal concentrations in kidney, liver, and stomach contents of nestling tree swallows, and monitored tree swallow nest success and nestling growth. I identified insects fed to nestlings to understand the influence of diet on metal accumulation in tissues, and collected insects to assess metal levels in available prey. I found high variability in metal concentrations in blood correlated with small blood sample volume, and suggest that blood may not be suitable for monitoring metal contamination in small birds. I found no evidence that metals were elevated in tissues of passerines near oilsands operations. Nest success and nestling growth were influenced by local environmental conditions and not affected by proximity to mining operations.
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Keywords
Toxicology
Citation
Godwin, C. (2015). Passerine Exposure to Metal Contaminants from Oilsands Mining in the Athabasca Region of Northeastern Alberta, Canada (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27264