Larus Marinus Research Articles

Gull Predation and Breeding Success of Common Eiders on Stratton Island, Maine

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima dresseri) breeding success and gull-eider interactions were studied at Stratton Island, Maine in 2004 and 2005. Eiders suffered little nest predation, and most egg losses to gulls were either facilitated by researcher intrusions or confined to newly initiated, unattended nests. Despite high nest success (>80%) in both study years, predation watches indicated that few, if any, ducklings survived to fledging as a result of extreme harassment and predation by Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus). Gull attacks were opportunistic, involved one to 36 gulls, and often resulted in complete crèche destruction. Herring Gulls (L. argentatus) also took occasional young and eggs. Although Stratton Island is managed as a tern restoration site, and gull control measures to enhance tern productivity include nest destruction and shooting of tern predators, gulls continued to congregate around crèching areas and to prey on ducklings. We suggest that additional gull control measures, particularly at a nearby gull colony, may enhance duckling survival. We also recommend monitoring of other eider colonies in the region to better assess duckling survival and recruitment rates.

Characterization of Escherichia coli populations from gulls, landfill trash, and wastewater using ribotyping

Due to their opportunistic and gregarious nature, gulls may be important reservoirs and vectors for anthropogenically derived fecal pathogens in coastal areas. We used ribotyping, a genotypic bacterial source tracking method, to compare populations of Escherichia coli among herring gulls Larus argentatus, great black-backed gulls L. marinus, wastewater, and landfill trash in New Hampshire and Maine, USA. Concentrations of E. coli in gull feces varied widely among individuals, but were generally high (6.0 x 10(1) to 2.5 x 10(9) g(-1) wet weight). Of 39 E. coli isolates from L. argentatus, 67% had banding patterns that were > or = 90% similar to those from wastewater and trash, whereas only 39% of 36 L. marinus isolates exhibited > or = 90% similarity to these sources. Strains of E. coli from gulls matched (> or = 90% similarity) more strains from wastewater (39% matching) than from trash (15% matching). E. coli isolates from L. marinus feces exhibited a greater diversity of banding patterns than did isolates from L. argentatus. There were more unique E. coli banding patterns in trash samples than in wastewater, and higher diversity indices in the former compared to the latter. These findings suggest that both species of gulls, especially L. argentatus, obtain fecal bacteria from wastewater and landfill trash, which they may transport to recreational beaches and waters. Our results also indicate that E. coli populations may vary widely between gull species, and between the anthropogenic habitats that they frequent, i.e. landfills and wastewater treatment facilities.

Details of Eastern Coyote, <em>Canis latrans</em>, Predation on Great Black-backed Gull, <em>Larus marinus</em>, Eggs on Boot Island National Wildlife Area, Nova Scotia

We detail field observations of Eastern Coyote eating Great Black-backed Gull eggs for the first time in the literature. Photographic evidence of the remaining egg shells allowed us to identify the Coyote as the predator.

The potential impact of environmental variation on the concentrations and ecological effects of pollutants in a marine avian top predator

Concentrations of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) and associations between OCs and fitness components were examined in great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus) in three colonies along the coast of northern Norway. In one of the colonies, data were collected in two subsequent seasons. Concentrations of four OCs (HCB, oxychlordane, DDE and PCB) were measured in blood (n=260) and fitness components (reproductive variables and adult return rate between breeding seasons) were recorded. In the first year, in two of the colonies, body condition and reproductive performance among the gulls were poor compared to the third colony, suggesting spatial variation in environmental conditions, especially food availability. However, in the third colony, body condition and reproductive performance were even better in the second season; i.e. environmental conditions varied temporally. OC residues were higher in the colonies where environmental conditions were poor, but much of this variation was explained by differences in body condition among colonies. Moreover, concurrent with improved body condition from one season to the next, the concentrations of OCs were halved. In the two colonies where environmental conditions were poor, female OC residues were negatively related to egg-laying date, egg size and nesting success, and in the colony where the concentrations of OC were highest, gulls with elevated DDE residues had low probability of returning between breeding seasons. In comparison, in the colony where environmental conditions were better in the first year, other types of adverse relationships between OCs and fitness components were found; i.e. chicks from females with high OC concentrations were in poor condition at hatching, suggesting maternal transfer of OCs to the eggs, and males with high OC residues had poor nesting success and chick survival, suggesting OC-mediated behavioural changes. With improved environmental conditions and lower OC concentrations in the second season, no significant adverse relationships between OCs and fitness components were found. This study thus suggests that there are complex interrelationships between both concentrations and ecological effects of OCs, and the environment, indicating that effects of OCs in nature may only be assessed after considering environmental variation.

Impact of Raccoons on Breeding Success in Large Colonies of Great Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls

For most ground-nesting seabirds, offshore islands usually serve as refuges from mammalian predators, however, introduced predators pose a substantial threat to many species. In New England, thousands of Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) and Great Black-backed Gulls (L. marinus) breed on hundreds of coastal islands. The Isles of Shoals (New Hampshire/Maine) archipelago has some of the largest colonies of both gull species in New England. In 2004, we noted unusually large numbers of failed nests on Appledore Island, Maine and hypothesized that Raccoons (Procyon lotor) were the cause. Therefore, we quantified egg and chick mortality and documented the presence of Raccoons. We trapped Raccoons on Appledore and Smuttynose islands and conducted nest surveys on these and two other islands in the Isles of Shoals. Surveys of marked nests on Appledore Island revealed high levels of egg and chick mortality in early June 2004; by late June 58% of nests were empty. We also found that on Appledore and Smuttynose, where Raccoons were observed, the odds that a nest would be empty were 17 times greater than on Lunging or Duck Islands where no Raccoons were observed. During 2004, eleven Raccoons were trapped off of Appledore and Smuttynose Islands. A survey of nests in 2005 showed that gull breeding success increased significantly on Appledore and Smuttynose islands, whereas there was no significant change in the relatively high ratio of chicks to nests from 2004 to 2005 on Lunging Island where Raccoons were not observed. Thus, we concluded that the presence of a few Raccoons on Appledore and Smuttynose islands was sufficient to cause substantial breeding failure in large colonies of larids.

Immune Status, Carotenoid Coloration, and Wing Feather Growth in Relation to Organochlorine Pollutants in Great Black-Backed Gulls

Previous ecotoxicological studies have documented relationships between residues of various organochlorines (OCs) and immune status, carotenoid colors, and wing feather growth in different bird species. In this study, the density of white blood cells (WBC), carotenoid colors, and length of the same feathers on each wing were measured in breeding great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus) on the coast of northern Norway, and related to the blood residues of five OCs, including HCB (hexachlorobenzene), beta-HCH (beta-hexachlorocyclohexane), p,p'-DDE (p, p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), oxychlordane, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), in addition to SigmaOC. Neither, WBC density nor carotenoid colors were significantly related to blood residues of any of the OCs, suggesting that OC levels may have been too low to significantly affect these outcome parameters. However, in the colony where the OC concentrations were highest, there was a weak but significantly positive relationship between the probability of having different length of feathers on each wing and levels of PCB and SigmaOC, in males. Thus varying length of the wing primaries may reflect adverse impacts of OCs in great black-backed gulls. However, in gulls with moderate levels of OCs, it is probably not a sensitive indicator of progressing ecological impacts of OCs, since such adverse ecological relationships were found in the breeding colonies where there were no relationships between differences in wing feather lengths and OCs.

REGULATION OF INTERTIDAL FOOD WEBS BY AVIAN PREDATORS ON NEW ENGLAND ROCKY SHORES

Although there is a large body of research on food webs in rocky intertidal communities, most of the emphasis has been on the marine benthic components. Effects of avian predation on highly mobile predators such as crabs, remains practically unstudied in rocky shore ecosystems. The crab, Cancer borealis, is an important component of the diet of gulls (Larus marinus, L. argentatus) at the Isles of Shoals, Maine, USA. C. borealis prey include the predatory gastropod Nucella lapillus L., the herbivore Littorina littorea, and mussels Mytilus edulis L. We hypothesized that gulls reduce abundance of C. borealis in the low intertidal and shallow subtidal, thereby allowing C. borealis prey to persist in high numbers. A study of crab tidal migration showed that C. borealis density nearly doubled at high tide compared to low tide; thus, crabs from a large subtidal source population migrate into the intertidal zone during high tides and either emigrate or are removed by gulls during low tides. Results from a small-scale (1 m2) predator caging experiment in the low intertidal zone indicated that enclosed crabs significantly reduced L. littorea abundance when protected from gull predation. In a much larger-scale gull exclusion experiment, densities of C. borealis increased significantly during low and high tides in exclosures relative to the controls. C. borealis density was inversely correlated with changes in the abundance of two mesopredators Carcinus maenas and Nucella lapillus, and with the space-occupier M. edulis. There was a similar negative correlation between abundance of C. borealis and the change in abundance of the herbivore L. littorea, but the trend was not significant. Mortality of tethered L. littorea was associated with C. borealis density across sites. However, preferred algae did not change in response to L. littorea density during the experiment. Thus, we found suggestive, but not conclusive, evidence for a three-level cascade involving gulls, crabs, and L. littorea. Our studies strongly suggest that gulls, as apex predators, generate three-level trophic cascades in rocky intertidal food webs by preventing the highly mobile subtidal predator, C. borealis, from establishing substantial populations in the low-mid intertidal zone thereby indirectly enhancing densities of two key mesopredators (N. lapillus, Carcinus) and blue mussels (M. edulis).

Effects of Gull Predation and Predator Control on Tern Nesting Success at Eastern Egg Rock, Maine

Abstract Gull predation is an important source of egg and chick mortality for many seabirds. From 2003-2005, the effects of gull predation and a predator control program on tern nesting success were studied at Eastern Egg Rock, Maine. In 2003, gull predation was uncontrolled, and in 2004 and 2005, attempts were made to shoot Herring (Larus argentatus), Great Black-backed (L. marinus), and Laughing (L. atricilla) gulls that preyed on Common (Sterna hirundo), Arctic (S. paradisaea), and Roseate (S. dougallii) tern adults, eggs, and chicks. To evaluate the effectiveness of gull removal, daily watches were performed from an observation tower and tern hatching and fledging success were measured annually. Despite shooting efforts in 2004-2005, many known predators could not be removed. Great Black-backed Gull predation was a function of year, tidal state, and visibility, while Herring Gull predation depended only on the stage of the tern breeding cycle. Using disappearance of eggs and chicks from monitored nest...

Likely Predation of Adult Glossy Ibis by Great Black-backed Gulls

Abstract Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) are known to prey upon a wide range of bird species, particularly adults, young, and eggs of seabirds and waterfowl. Here, I provide the first account of Great Black-backed Gulls pursuing and attacking, in flight, a medium-sized wading bird, the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). I recorded two observations at Stratton Island, Maine, the northernmost breeding site for the Glossy Ibis in North America.

The Occurrence of Organochlorines in Marine Avian Top Predators along a Latitudinal Gradient

The aim of this study was to determine the role of cold condensation and fractionation on the occurrence of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) in avian marine top predators along a latitudinal gradient. We measured 24 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and six pesticide OCs in blood of great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus) from the Norwegian Coast (58 degrees N-70 degrees N) and glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from Bjornoya in the Norwegian Arctic (74 degrees N). Glaucous gulls had up to 3 times higher sigmaOC concentrations compared to the great black-backed gulls, and a OC pattern dominated largely by persistent and low volatile compounds such as highly chlorinated PCBs and metabolites such as oxychlordane. This was not consistent with cold condensation and fractionation theory, but probably related to diet and elevated biomagnification. Among great black-backed gulls, however, there were indications of both cold condensation and fractionation. Higher and lower chlorinated PCBs had highest absolute concentrations in the south and in the north, respectively, except for one location at an intermediate latitude, where concentrations of most OCs exceeded all other locations. In terms of proportional contribution to sigmaOC (pattern), relatively volatile OCs such as HCB, oxychlordane and tri- to penta- PCB congeners were more important at northern latitudes, while hexa- to nona-PCBs made up a larger proportion of sigmaOC in the south. The results thus showed that differences in global distribution of compounds with different physicochemical properties could be detected in avian top predators such as large gulls, even if biomagnification and biotransformation influence both the absolute concentrations and the patterns of OCs.

Interspecific kleptoparasitism by four species of gull Larus spp. in South Sweden

Data are presented on interspecific kleptoparasitism by Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus, Common Gull L. canus, Herring Gull L. argentatus and Great Black-backed Gull L. marinus, collected in South Sweden from the late 1950s to the present day. The basis for the presentation is the various host species exploited by the four gull species. For each host species, information is given on species of gull kleptoparasitising it, seasonal occurrence of kleptoparasitism, details of behaviour and, when available, data on gulls’ success rates. The paper is intended as a sort of catalogue. For this reason, relevant literature is reviewed under each of the host-species headings. Gulls’ success rates varied between 55% for Black-headed Gulls and Common Gulls parasitising Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus, the most often observed kleptoparasitic association, and 15% on the few occasions that Black-headed Gulls parasitised Curlews Numenius arquata in grassland. When the same two gull species parasitised Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris, their success rate varied with robbing tactic used (16% vs 45%). Beside the association of the two small gull species with Lapwings and Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria, the most frequently observed associations were those of Herring Gulls with Common Eiders Somateria mollissima and Great Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls with diving fish-eaters (Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, mergansers Mergus spp.). Kleptoparasitism often occurred during periods of food scarcity, being most common in harsh winter conditions (the two large gull species) and during cold spells in early spring (some associations of the two small gull species). As in other studies, gulls’ success rate was strongly dependent on the size of hosts’ prey, and thus, normally on handling time. It is suggested that success rate can often be used as a substitute for profitability in studies of kleptoparasitism.

Environmental pollutants in endangered vs. increasing subspecies of the lesser black-backed gull on the Norwegian Coast

Organochlorine (OC) residues were measured in eggs and blood of different subspecies of the lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus, on the Norwegian coast: a) increasing L. f. intermedius in the North Sea; b) endangered L. f. fuscus near the Arctic Circle; c) L. f. fuscus and greyish-mantled gulls, with a L. f. intermedius appearance, in the Barents Sea region. The dominating OCs in lesser black-backed gulls were polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE). DDE and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) residues were higher in L. f. fuscus compared to L. f. intermedius and greyish-mantled birds in the Barents Sea region. In the latter area, blood residues of PCB and DDE in lesser black-backed gulls were as high as in great black-backed gulls, Larus marinus, while in the other regions they were lower. The higher DDE residues in endangered L. f. fuscus compared to increasing L. f. intermedius and greyish-mantled birds, which are invading northern Norway, suggest that OCs may have played a role in the population decline of L. f. fuscus, possibly in combination with nutrient stress.

Organochlorines in Antarctic and Arctic Avian Top Predators: A Comparison between the South Polar Skua and Two Species of Northern Hemisphere Gulls

Different organochlorine compounds (OCs) were measured in the blood of breeding south polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) at Svarthamaren, Dronning Maud Land (Antarctica) and compared to those in two species of northern hemisphere gulls: the Arctic glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) and the subarctic great black-backed gull (Larus marinus). The skuas had 8% and 29% of the SigmaOC levels (45 ng/g, wet weight) of glaucous gulls (591 ng/g) and great black-backed gulls (158 ng/g), respectively. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) were very low in skuas compared to northern gulls, but the mean hexachlorobenzene (HCB) level was 1.7 times higher than in great black-backed gulls and one-third of the glaucous gull level. Mirex levels in skuas were among the highest reported in birds, the mean level being 3 and 26 times higher than those in glaucous gull and great black-backed gulls, respectively. In skuas, the mean levels of HCB, oxychlordane, p,p'-DDE, and PCBs increased by about 30% during a 2-week period, and mirex increased by nearly 60%. In glacuous gulls, HCB, p,p'-DDE, and PCBs increased by 10-20%. For HCB, mirex, and oxychlordane, only a relatively small proportion of the increase in skuas could be explained by changes in lipid pools and the levels at first sampling, compared to glaucous gulls. Thus, skuas were probably accumulating these compounds when present in Antarctica. p,p'-DDE and PCB levels, in contrast, seemed much more stable in the skuas. Relatively high levels of mirex and HCB in south polar skuas are concerning with regard to potential adverse effects.

Nutrient transfer from sea to land: the case of gulls and cormorants in the Gulf of Maine

1. The structure of communities is influenced by the transport of resources across ecosystem boundaries. Seabirds are capable of introducing large amounts of marine-derived nutrients to land, thereby modifying resource availability to terrestrial species. 2. In this study we investigated the hypothesis that variation in nesting densities of great black-backed gulls Larus marinus and double-crested cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus would modify the effect of these species on soil nutrients and plant species composition on offshore islands in the Gulf of Maine, USA. 3. Our results showed a significant positive correlation between nest density and concentrations of ammonia and nitrate in soils, but no significant relationship between nest density and phosphate. Ammonia and phosphate concentrations were good predictors of plant species composition; there were more annual forbs than perennial grasses in the abandoned cormorant colony compared with the gull colonies. Extremely high concentrations of ammonia in the highest density colony (active cormorant) may have been the main factor inhibiting plant germination at this site. All of the plant species in gull and cormorant colonies showed enriched delta(15)N signatures, indicating substantial input of marine-derived nitrogen from seabirds. 4. Our study demonstrated that gulls and cormorants are effective vectors for the transport of marine nutrients to terrestrial ecosystems. However, transported nutrients occurred in particularly high concentrations in areas with nesting cormorants. Nesting densities and species-specific variation in resource transport should be considered when predicting the effects of seabirds and other biogenic vectors of allochthonous resources.

Factors affecting breeding distribution of Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus in Orkney and Shetland

Capsule The main factors are past and present human activities, especially the introduction of rats to islands. Aims To assess factors that influence breeding distribution and abundance of Storm-petrel. Methods We used a database for 142 islands in Shetland and Orkney. Breeding status of Storm-petrel was related to data for each island on introduced and indigenous predators, other human-related features, and aspects of island geography. Results Although 92% of the total land area of the archipelagos comprised islands with rats present, Storm-petrel colonies were almost totally restricted to rat-free islands. They also occurred more frequently on islands with cliffs, far from neighbouring islands with humans, and on islands with a low rate of human visits. Colony size was smaller on the smallest occupied islands. Breeding numbers of Great Skuas Stercorarius skua, Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus, and Storm-petrels all correlated, as each increased with island size. Conclusions The presence or absence of rats is the single most important influence on Storm-petrel breeding distribution in Orkney and Shetland. However, geographical and human-related effects, such as the presence of cliffs or the occurrence of human visits, also appear to influence the distribution of Storm-petrels, whereas avian predators appear to have had little effect until now.

Nest Attributes, Aggression, and Breeding Success of Gulls in Single and Mixed Species Subcolonies

Abstract We investigated attributes of nests, aggressive interactions, and reproductive success in mixed and single species subcolonies of Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) and Herring Gulls (L. argentatus) on Appledore Island, Maine. Distances to the nearest neighboring nest were smaller for L. argentatus than L. marinus, with greatest distances between nests at edges of subcolonies in both species. More L. argentatus nests had natural screens (vegetation or rock >30 cm tall) adjacent to them than did L. marinus nests, but screen presence did not differ among nest positions within the colony. Clutch size did not differ between species; however, hatching success (number of chicks hatched per nest) was higher in L. argentatus than L. marinus. Fledging success (number of chicks fledged per nest) of L. marinus was greater at nests with heterospecific neighbors, whereas the opposite was true for L. argentatus. For both species, the frequency of aggressive interactions was lower at nests with L. argentatus neighbors. Overall, L. marinus nesting near L. argentatus experienced less aggression and greater reproductive success than those nesting among conspecifics, where intraspecific aggression was relatively high. L. argentatus nesting near L. marinus experienced more aggression and lower reproductive success than those nesting among conspecifics, where intraspecific aggression was relatively low. The costs and benefits of nesting in mixed species colonies may depend on the relative size and aggressiveness of the heterospecifics. Interactions with L. marinus in mixed species colonies may be contributing to the current declines of L. argentatus throughout New England.

Carotenoid coloration in great black‐backed gull Larus marinus reflects individual quality

Carotenoids are a large group of biochemicals, with similar properties, synthesised by bacteria, fungi, algae and plants. Vertebrates obtain these biologically active pigments through the diet, and they are a disproportionately common component of animal colour signals and play important roles in immune functions and as antioxidants. Carotenoids are believed to be a limited resource and because of the trade‐off between allocation of carotenoids to signals and to other functions, carotenoid based signals are often thought to be handicap signals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the signalling potential of carotenoid‐based tissue coloration in the great black‐backed gull Larus marinus. The intensity of carotenoid‐based coloration in bill, gape and eye‐ring coloration was investigated in relation to body condition, reproductive parameters, levels of immune activity, and sexual dimorphism. In males there was a positive relationship between colour intensity and body condition, but in females no such relationship was found. However, females with high colour intensity had larger eggs and clutches. Additionally, females with high red scores tended to have high density of circulating lymphocytes. There was no sexual dimorphism in coloration and there was a negative relationship between colour intensity and sampling time, which indicates that this coloration is most intensely expressed early in the breeding season. The results in this study suggest that carotenoid‐based coloration in great black‐backed gull are partly condition dependent and reveal information about individual quality in both males an females. Hence, it might have evolved as an important signal for assessing the quality of potential mates.

Nest Attributes, Aggression, and Breeding Success of Gulls in Single and Mixed Species Subcolonies

Abstract We investigated attributes of nests, aggressive interactions, and reproductive success in mixed and single species subcolonies of Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) and Herring Gulls (L. argentatus) on Appledore Island, Maine. Distances to the nearest neighboring nest were smaller for L. argentatus than L. marinus, with greatest distances between nests at edges of subcolonies in both species. More L. argentatus nests had natural screens (vegetation or rock >30 cm tall) adjacent to them than did L. marinus nests, but screen presence did not differ among nest positions within the colony. Clutch size did not differ between species; however, hatching success (number of chicks hatched per nest) was higher in L. argentatus than L. marinus. Fledging success (number of chicks fledged per nest) of L. marinus was greater at nests with heterospecific neighbors, whereas the opposite was true for L. argentatus. For both species, the frequency of aggressive interactions was lower at nests with L. argenta...

Carotenoid coloration in great black-backed gull Larus marinus reflects individual quality

Carotenoid coloration in great black-backed gull Larus marinus reflects individual quality

PCBs in sediments and the coastal food web near a local contaminant source in Saglek Bay, Labrador

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in marine sediments and the coastal food web in Saglek Bay, Labrador, to investigate the influence of a local PCB source. Saglek Bay has been the site of a military radar station since the late 1950s and there was PCB-contaminated soil at a beach prior to cleanup in 1997–1999. PCB concentrations in marine sediments during 1997–1999 ranged from 0.24 to 62 000 ng/g (dry weight) and decreased exponentially with distance from the contaminated beach. Given this gradient, spatial trends of PCBs in the food web were examined over four zones, according to distance from the contaminated beach: within 1.5 km — zone one, 1.5–4.5 km — zone two, 4.5–7.5 km — zone three, and greater than 7.5 km — zone four. PCB concentrations in a bottom-feeding fish (shorthorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus scorpius), decreased significantly from zone one to zone two, three, four, and distant Labrador reference sites. PCB concentrations in the eggs of a diving seabird (black guillemot, Cepphus grylle) were as high as 48 000 ng/g during 1997–1999 and average concentrations in zones one and two were 84 and 13 times higher than in zone four. Marine invertebrates closely reflected the concentrations of PCBs in the associated sediment. In contrast to the benthic-based food web, anadromous arctic char ( Salvelinus alpinus) showed no evidence of PCB accumulation from the contaminated sediments. Relatively high PCB concentrations were discovered in some great black-backed gulls ( Larus marinus) and ringed seals ( Phoca hispida) but appear to relate more to their high trophic level than sampling location. Those species that fed on or near the seabed and had limited foraging ranges were strongly influenced by the local contamination. Total PCB concentrations in the benthic-based food web were significantly higher than background levels for a distance of at least 7.5 km from the contaminated beach. This area is small in the context of widely distributed contamination from long-range transport but the area's high concentrations are comparable to levels associated with adverse effects elsewhere. Our findings should be useful to better assess the environmental impacts of PCB contamination at other coastal sites in the Arctic.