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Organochlorine residues in common tern eggs from nine Atlantic coast colonies, 1980

January 1, 1983

In 1980, 178 Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) eggs were collected in nine colonies from Rhode Island to North Carolina and were analyzed for organochlorines. DDE and PCBs were detected in most of the eggs. Mean concentrations of DDE and PCBs differed among colonies and seemed related to local contamination. Concentrations of DDE and PCBs in Common Tern eggs were well below those reported to have adverse effects in this species. In one colony, eggs of known laying sequence were collected. First, second, and third eggs in the clutch did not differ significantly from one another in shell weight, shell thickness, and concentration of DDE or PCBs.

Publication Year 1983
Title Organochlorine residues in common tern eggs from nine Atlantic coast colonies, 1980
DOI 10.2307/1520988
Authors T. W. Custer, R.M. Erwin, C. Stafford
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Colonial Waterbirds
Index ID 5221881
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Patuxent Wildlife Research Center