John Luft’s research while affiliated with Salt Lake Community College and other places

We examined selenium concentrations in California gulls (Larus californicus) nesting on the Great Salt Lake, Utah during 2006 and 2007. During 2006, the mean selenium concentration (+ SE) in adult blood samples was 18.1 + 1.5 µg/g (n = 35) on a dry weight basis, 8.1 + 0.4 in adult liver samples (n = 36), and 3.0 + 0.10 µg/g in eggs (n = 35). During 2007, selenium concentrations were 15.7 + 1.5 µg/g in blood and 8.3 + 0.4 µg/g in liver; mercury concentrations were 2.4 + 0.3 µg/g in blood and 4.1 + 0.5 in liver. Body mass was not correlated with selenium or mercury concentrations in the blood or liver for either adult males or females. Gulls collected from different Great Salt Lake colonies varied significantly in the concentration of selenium in their blood but not in livers or eggs. Selenium concentrations were higher in blood of gulls collected at the GSLM colony than in gulls collected from the Antelope Island colony or Hat Island colony. Gulls collected from a freshwater colony (Neponsett Reservoir) located in the headwaters of the Bear River had similar levels of selenium in the blood and liver as gulls collected on the Great Salt Lake but lower mercury levels. Of 72 eggs collected at random from Great Salt Lake colonies, only one showed no embryo development, and none of the embryos exhibited signs of malposition or deformities. We examined 100 newly hatched chicks from Great Salt Lake colonies for teratogenesis; all chicks appeared normal. Hence, the high selenium concentrations in blood of adult gulls do not seem to be impairing the gulls' health or reproductive ability.

The Great Salt Lake (GSL) is an important region for millions of migratory waterbirds. However, high concentrations of some trace elements, including Hg and Se, have been detected within the GSL, and baseline ecotoxicological data are lacking for avian species in this system. We collected common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), and green-winged teal (A. crecca) from the GSL during the winters of 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 to evaluate sources of variation in liver trace element concentrations. Hg concentrations were among or exceeded the highest values reported in the published literature for common goldeneye, northern shoveler, and green-winged teal. Average Hg (total) concentrations of common goldeneye peaked in midwinter, whereas average Se concentrations peaked during late winter. During late winter, 100% and 88% of female goldeneye contained elevated concentrations of Hg [>or=1.0 microg/g wet weight (ww)] and Se (>or=3.0 microg/g ww), respectively, and 5% and 14% contained potentially harmful amounts of Hg (>or=30.0 microg/g ww) and Se (>10.0 microg/g ww), respectively. Similarly, 30% and 16% of male goldeneye contained potentially harmful concentrations of Hg and Se, respectively. Concentrations of Hg and Se were elevated in 100% and 79%, respectively, of northern shoveler samples (sexes combined) collected during February. We suggest that waterfowl contain biologically concerning amounts of Hg and Se during winter while on the GSL and further research is needed to evaluate the effect of these elements on GSL waterbirds.

The Great Salt Lake (GSL) is the fourth largest terminal lake in the world and is an important region for migratory and breeding waterbirds. Because the GSL is a closed basin, contaminants associated with industrial and urban development may accumulate in this system. Recently, water and sediment samples from the GSL revealed high concentrations of Hg and Se and methylmercury concentrations in GSL water samples were among the highest ever recorded in surface water by the USGS Mercury Laboratory. Thus, GSL waterbirds are likely exposed to these contaminants and elevated contaminant concentrations may adversely affect survival and reproduction in waterfowl. Our objectives were to 1) estimate mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) concentrations in wintering waterfowl from GSL and, 2) evaluate relationships between measures of waterfowl body condition and internal organ masses (hereafter body condition) with trace metal concentrations. We collected common goldeneye (COGO), northern shoveler (NSHO), and American green-winged teal (AGWT) from the GSL during early winter. We used ICP-MS to analyze liver and muscle tissue samples for contaminant concentrations. We developed species specific regression models for each of 5 condition indices, including ingesta-free plucked body mass (IFPBM), abdominal fat mass, spleen, liver, and pancreas masses. Independent variables were comprised of Hg, Se, Cd, Cu, and Zn and we included sex and age as covariates in each regression. We used Akaike's Information Criterion adjusted for small sample size to select best and competing models. Subsequently, we used partial correlations to depict inverse relationships identified in competing models. Hg concentrations in COGO and NSHO muscle tissue generally exceeded or approached the 1 ppm wet weight (ww) threshold considered unsafe for human consumption in fish and game. Hg concentrations in liver tissue exceeded or were among the highest reported in published literature for COGO, NSHO, and AGWT. Se concentrations in liver tissue for all 3 species were below the 10 ppm, ww threshold suggested for potential harmful effects in non-breeding ducks. Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations in liver tissues were generally within normal background levels for all 3 species. IFPBM was inversely correlated with Se (r = -0.29) in COGO, Cu (r = -0.30) and Zn (r = -0.32) in NSHO, and with Zn (r = -0.62) in AGWT. Abdominal fat mass was inversely correlated with Se (r = -0.32) in COGO, Cu (r = -0.23) and Zn (r = -0.21) in NSHO, and with Zn (r = -0.81) in AGWT. Spleen mass was inversely correlated with Hg (r = -0.42) in COGO, and Se (r = -0.36) in AGWT. Liver mass was inversely correlated with Hg (r = -0.56) and Zn (r = -0.71) in AGWT, and with Se (r = -0.47) in NSHO. Pancreas mass was inversely correlated with Zn in (r = -0.70) AGWT. Our results indicate GSL waterfowl may experience reduced body condition due to environmental contaminants. However, these relationships should be evaluated in other annual cycle periods and GSL waterbirds. Contaminant pathways to waterfowl need to be elucidated and water quality standards for GSL should be developed. Finally, human consumption of COGO and NSHO from GSL should be limited.

We examined selenium and mercury concentrations in male common goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula) that spent the winter of 2005-2006 on the Great Salt Lake, Utah. Selenium concentrations in livers were 15.3 + 1.2 µg/g (mean + SE on a dry-weight basis) and 16.7 + 1.2 µg/g in blood. Mercury concentrations were 38.8 + 4.5 µg/g in livers and 14.3 + 1.2 µg/g in blood. Selenium concentrations in liver, selenium concentrations in blood, mercury concentrations in liver, and mercury concentrations in blood were all highly correlated with each other. Body mass and liver mass were not correlated with the concentration of selenium or mercury concentration in either blood or liver. Fat mass was negatively correlated with liver concentrations of selenium and mercury and with blood concentrations of mercury, but not blood concentrations of selenium. Selenium and mercury concentrations increased across time in ducks collected around Fremont Island but not in ducks collected around Stansbury Island.