Organochlorines and eggshell thinning in northern gannets ( Sula bassanus) from Eastern Canada, 1968–1984

Abstract

The northern gannets ( Sula bassanus) nesting on Bonaventure Island, Quebec, were studied from 1968 to 1984 in order to measure environmental contaminant levels and their relationship to productivity. Fresh eggs in 1969 contained a mean DDE level of 18·5 mg kg −1 and had shells which were 17% thinner than pre-1947 samples. Unhatched eggs in 1969 had no outer calcified layer, a mean thickness 20% less than the pre-1947 mean, and mean DDE concentration of 30·6mg kg −1. Significantly higher levels of eight contaminants were measured in unhatched than in fresh eggs collected in 1969. DDE and shell thinning were also intercorrelated with nine other contaminants; these data strongly implicate toxic chemicals, particularly DDE, as the main cause for the low breeding success of Bonaventure gannets from 1966 to 1974. Extensive use of DDT to control forest insects around the Gulf of St Lawrence ceased in 1969. Use of DDT, dieldrin and PCBs was restricted in North America during the early 1970s. Residues of DDT, DDD, DDE, PCBs, dieldrin, HCB and chlordane-related compounds in gannet eggs decreased significantly during this study. Heptachlor epoxide remained constant while α-HCH appeared to increase. Estimated half-lives ranged from 3·1 years for DDD to 35·4 years for oxychlordane. The breeding success and population of the colony have coincidentally increased.