Lead Institution(s): US Geological Survey
Project Lead: J. Christian Franson
Collaborator(s): David Hoffman (USGS), Matthew Perry (USGS), Alaska SeaLife Center, USFWS, USGS, MDIFW
Focal Species: Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Project Description: The effects of excess selenium exposure are well known in freshwater birds and include multiple embryonic deformities, adverse physiological changes, emaciation, and death with a variety of histopathologic lesions. Selenium concentrations that are commonly considered toxic for freshwater birds have been reported in tissues of some marine birds, and the threatened Spectacled Eider and Steller’s Eider are among the Alaskan sea ducks and waterfowl found with high selenium levels. Because experimental studies of selenium toxicity in marine birds are lacking, little information is available to evaluate the threat represented by the selenium concentrations found in tissues of these species. Objectives of this project were to determine if (1) Selenium exposure has adverse effects on the physiology and immune function of common eiders and to evaluate the histopathological effects of exposure; (2) Tissue selenium thresholds associated with toxicity are higher in eiders than freshwater birds; and (3) Eiders accumulate more selenium in their tissues than freshwater birds when dietary selenium concentrations are similar.
SDJV27 interim Report FY03
SDJV27 Final Report FY04
Related Publications
Christian Franson, J., D. J. Hoffman, A. Wells-Berlin, M. C. Perry, V. Shearn-Bochsler, D. L. Finley, P. L. Flint, and T. Hollmén. 2007. Effects of Dietary Selenium on Tissue Concentrations, Pathology, Oxidative Stress, and Immune Function in Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A 70:861–874. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287390701212760
