Evaluation of a macro encapsulated repellent to reduce risk of white phosphorous ingestion by waterfowl foraging in a contaminated marsh

Abstract

White Phosphorous contamination of a marsh at a U.S. Army artillery training range in Alaska is a causative agent for waterfowl mortality. We developed an encapsulated bird repellent containing the active ingredient, methyl anthranilate, and evaluated the formulations efficacy in reducing feeding activity by ducks, reducing mortality of ducks feeding in contaminated sediments, and the repellents ability to move ducks from contaminated areas. The formulation has a limited life span of about 4 days. However, in pen trials feeding activity of mallards can be reduced by up to 80%. Long term exposure to treated sediments confers a survival advantage to mallards tested in pens, and free-ranging mallards can be moved off of treated sections of marsh. This prototype formulation may have utility in the short-term remediation of contaminated sediments for the protection of waterfowl.