Reproductive and developmental changes in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are influenced by multiple stressors, including polycyclic aromatic compounds, in the Athabasca Oil Sands. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernie, K.J.; Marteinson, S.C.; Soos, C.; Chen, D.; Cruz-Martinez, L.; Smits, J.E.G.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 238(2018)
• Page Start: 931
• Page End: 941
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Tree swallows -- Reproduction -- Alkylated PAHs -- Multiple stressors -- Athabasca Oil Sands Region; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Mining in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) has contributed extensively to increased exposure of wildlife to naturally occurring polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), yet little is known about the toxicity of PACs to wildlife in this region. We identified reproductive and developmental changes in tree swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor ) breeding in close proximity to mining-related activities in the AOSR, and determined these changes in relation to the birds' exposure and accumulation of 41 PACs (parent-, alkylated-PAHs), dibenzothiophenes (DBTs; previously published), diet (carbon (δ 13 C), nitrogen (δ 15 N)), volatile organic compounds, and weather variables. Tree swallow pairs (N = 43) were compared among mining-related (OS1, OS2) and reference (REF1, REF2) sites. At OS2, clutch initiation was slightly advanced (2012) but reproductive success (65%) was much lower than at the other sites (≥ 79%). Fledgling production by each pair was influenced by the timing of clutch initiation (years combined); in a highly inclement brood rearing period (2013), additional influences included the nestlings' exposure to ΣDBTs, accumulation of C1-naphthalene, the trophic position of the prey in their diet (δ 15 N), and record-breaking rainfall. Nestlings at OS2 were significantly lighter at day (d) 9 and d14, and in poorer body condition (d9). Nestling body mass was influenced by multiple stressors that varied by site: mass of younger nestlings (d9) was related to dietary source (δ 13 C; e.g., wetlands, terrestrial fields), exposure and/or accumulation of C1-phenanthrenes, C2-fluorenes, Σalkyl-PAHs and ΣDBTs, while for older nestlings (d14), body mass was related to sex, hatch date and/or rainfall during brood rearing. The swallows' exposure and accumulation of parent-PACs, alkyl-PACs and DBTs, the timing of hatching, their diet and exposure to highly inclement rains, contributed to their reproductive and developmental changes. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Reproductive, developmental changes evident in tree swallows in Athabasca Oil Sands. Annual variation in clutch initiation, fledgling numbers, reproductive success, growth. Nestlings lighter and in poorer body condition at one of two mining-impacted sites. Changes related to multiple stressors included birds' exposure, accumulation of PACs. Other contributing influences were diet, timing of hatching, highly inclement weather. Abstract : Reproductive and developmental changes were evident in tree swallows in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, with some nestlings lighter and in poorer condition; these changes were influenced by multiple stressors including the birds' exposure and accumulation of specific PACs, their diet, when they hatched, and inclement weather.