An investigation of physiological effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on a long-distance migratory seabird, the northern gannet. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Champoux, Louise; Rail, Jean-François; Houde, Magali; Giraudo, Maeva; Lacaze, Émilie; Franci, Cynthia D.; Fairhurst, Graham D.; Hobson, Keith A.; Brousseau, Pauline; Guillemette, Magella; Pelletier, David; Montevecchi, William A.; Lair, Stéphane; Verreault, Jonathan; Soos, Catherine
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 153(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Northern gannet -- Deepwater Horizon oil spill -- Feather-based biomarkers -- PAHs -- Stress physiology -- Thyroid hormones; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110953
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Exposure to oil can have long-term impacts on migratory birds. Following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), we investigated potential impacts of oil exposure on a population of northern gannets ( Morus bassanus ) that breed on Bonaventure Island (Québec, Canada) and winter in GOM and along the U.S. Atlantic coast (AC). Blood and feather samples were collected from adults previously equipped with geolocators to determine wintering locations. Parent and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); trace metals; stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen; and immune, thyroid, steroid, retinoid, and genetic endpoints were measured. PAH and trace metal concentrations did not differ between gannets using different wintering sites. Feather stable isotope values varied significantly between birds from different wintering locations. Gannets wintering in GOM showed higher feather corticosterone and plasma thyroid hormone levels, which may indicate increased energetic demands and/or greater exposure to environmental stressors. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon spill on northern gannets were studied. Plasma PAH levels did not differ among gannets wintering in Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and Atlantic coast. Feather stable isotope values differed between birds from different wintering sites. Thyroid hormones and feather corticosterone were higher in gannets wintering in GOM. Wintering in GOM may incur increased costs and exposure to environmental stressors.