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Geology topics

Charles J. Henny

Publications and source records attributed to Charles J. Henny.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
USGS1988

Organochlorine residues in great blue herons from the northwestern United States

We collected eggs or young Great Blue Herons from eight nesting colonies in the northwestern United States from 1977 through 1982. Subadults were collected at three estuarine areas in Puget Sound in 1981 and dead young or adults were collected at various localities. Nearly all samples analyzed contained organochlorine residues. There was no evidence that nay of the organochlorines detected were related to lethal or serious sublethal effects.

Colonial Waterbirds↗
USGS1987

Persistence of DDT and metabolites in wildlife from Washington State orchards

Residues of the DDT group, particularly p,p′-DDT (DDT) were detected in high or unusual amounts in some wildlife samples collected in fruit orchards near Wenatchee, Washington from 1979 to 1983. Samples of birds contained p,p′ -DDE (DDE) and DDT in ratios (DDE:DDT) as low as 2.6:1 in eggs and 1.9:1 in brains. An unexpectedly high number (about 50%) of some samples, such as fat of adult waterfowl, contained unusually low DDE:DDT ratios (≤10:l). At the lower sensitivity level (0.01 μg/g), 96% of the samples contained DDE and 46% contained DDT. From about 1946 to 1970, technical DDT was applied at very high rates to orchards in Washington (56 to 73 kg/ha/yr); some areas probably received 5≥1000 kg/ha over this period. Considerable wildlife mortality from DDT was documented during the period of intensive use, but only one DDT-related mortality was recorded during this study. The possible origin of the residues is discussed. Occurrence of DDT and its metabolites in resident wildlife and its food indicates continuing contamination that probably originates largely from past legal applications in the orchard system.

Washington↗
USGS1987

Concentrations of metals in mink and other mammals from Washington and Idaho

From 1981 to 1983, concentrations dfof metals were determined in mink Mustela vison , muskrats Ondatra zibethica , and small mammals at one contaminated site in Idaho and at two less contaminated sites in Idaho and Washington. The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd occurred in samples from the Coeur d'Alene River system near or downstream from an extensive mining—smelting complex in northern Idaho. Maximum concentrations of Pb in the liver of a mink (22 μg g −1 ) and in pooled liver samples of both voles ( Microtus spp. , 5·8 μg g −1 ) and deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus , 10·5 μg g −1 ) were higher than those inducing serious problems, including mortality, in experimental mammals on Pb-contaminated diets. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn were generally low. Declines in certain mammal populations have probably occurred in northern Idah as a result of direct toxicity of metals and associated secondary effects on cover and food supply.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1987

Case histories of bald eagles and other raptors killed by organophosphorus insecticides topically applied to livestock

Since 1982 when secondary poisoning of a red-tailed hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis ) was documented following the recommended use of famphur applied topically to cattle, the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center has tested dead birds of prey for poisoning by famphur and other pouron organophosphorus (OP) insecticides. Brain cholinesterase (ChE) activity was first determined, then if ChE was depressed ≥50%, stomach and/or crop contents were evaluated for anti-ChE compounds. This report presents the circumstances surrounding the OP-caused deaths of eight bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ), two red-tailed hawks, and one great horned owl ( Bubo virginianus ) between March 1984 and March 1985. OP poisoning of raptors by pour-on insecticides in the United States is widespread, but its magnitude is unknown.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1987

Field methods to evaluate effects of pesticides on wildlife of the northwestern United States

Field .methods used to evaluate the impact of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides on wildlife populations in the Pacific Northwest are reviewed. Five field studies, presented in a CASE HISTORY format, illustrate study designs .and thetypes of information collected. The pesticides investigated included DDT, heptachlor, endr1n, and famphur, and the species studied included the American kestrel (Falco sparverius), Canada goose (Branta canadensis}, black--crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorac), and black-billed magpie (Pica pica). Wildlife biologists conducting field studies of pesticides encounter a variety of design and logistics problems. However, a number of procedures are now available to the researcher for field evaluations. The three principa1 types of insecticides (organochlorines (OC's), organophosphates (OP's) and carbamates (CB's) require different field approaches. In this paper, five field studies, conducted by my colleagues and me between 1974 and 1982, in the northwestern portion of the United States (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northern Nevada), are reviewed to illustrate procedures for evaluating the effects of these insecticides.on wildlife populations. Althought most OC pesticides were banned in the United States during the 1970's (.for review, see F1eming et al. 1983), we studied several OC applications, including the last major DDT spray project in 1974. Use of OP's and CB's increased during the 1970's and 1980s as the OC's were phased out.

Book chapter↗
USGS1986

Radiotelemetry locates wintering grounds of DDE-contaminated black-crowned night-herons

This study was designed to determine if night-herons nesting at Ruby Lake, Nevada, shared a common wintering area with lesser contaminated night-herons nesting farther north in Oregon and Idaho. Radiotelemetry (29 transmitters) and banding studies indicated that the lesser-contaminated Oregon-Idaho night-herons wintered primarily in coastal Mexico (mean 22-23'N latitude), while the Ruby Lake night-herons wintered in the southwestern United States with some in the interior of northern Mexico (mean 29-30?N latitude). We believe the nearly disjunct wintering areas for the populations, and the apparent differing pollutant loads on the wintering areas accounted for the 3-fold higher DDE egg residues at Ruby Lake. Findings from this study emphasize the influence migration patterns can have on pollutants accumulated by populations of migratory birds nesting in relatively unpolluted areas and at relatively short distances apart (400 km).

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS1985

The effects of heptachlor and lindane on birds, Columbia Basin, Oregon and Washington, 1976-1981

The effects of heptachlor seed treatments on birds in the vicinity of the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon and Washington, were investigated from 1978 to 1981. An egg was collected from each of 60 nests representing six species. Heptachlor epoxide (HE) residues were detected in 35 eggs and were particularly high (8–13 μg g −1 ) in a few eggs of the black-billed magpie, mallard, and ring-necked pheasant. These residues were within the range that induced reproductive problems in other species in the area. Diagnostically lethal residue levels (⩾ 9 μg g −1 ) of HE were detected in the brains of nine birds (four species). Most of the avifauna in the area contained residues of HE and related compounds. Lindane, the replacement chemical for heptachlor, did not produce adverse effects in birds, and residues were not detected in either their eggs or brains.

Science of the Total Environment↗
USGS1985

Reproduction, mortality, and heavy metal concentrations in great blue herons from three colonies in Washington and Idaho

We collected eggs in nests, hatchlings and eggs with advanced embryos on the ground, and prefledgling young of Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) at three nesting colonies in Washington and Idaho. Intact fish were also collected on the ground at the Idaho colony. The Ft. Lewis colony near Puget Sound in Washington and the Lake Chatcolet colony in northern Idaho were located near areas extensively polluted with heavy metals from minning or smelting activities. The Hanford Reservation colony near Richland, Washington was located some distance from point sources of heavy metal pollution. Heavy metals in heron samples were generally low and were all below concentrations known to induce mortality or adversely affect reproductive success. The elevated copper in one of three prefledglings from Ft. Lewis paralleled that found in an occasional nestling of several species of birds in other studies; the significance of this relationship is unclear. Breeding herons apparently fed near their colonies in areas removed from the sites of heaviest contamination, but birds in the Lake Chatcolet colony were preying on fish containing as much as 6 mu-g/g lead.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1985

Trends and effects of organochlorine residues on Oregon and Nevada wading birds, 1979-83

The incidence of DDT (parent compound) declined significantly in the eggs of Black-crowned Night-Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi), and Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), and showed a downward trend in Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula). Mean DDE residues (breakdown product of DDT) in eggs declined significantly in Black-crowned Night-Herons and showed a downward trend in Black-necked Stilts and Snowy Egrets; however, no trend was apparent for White-faced Ibis. Some night-herons, egrets, and ibis laid thin-shelled eggs that cracked; eggshell thickness was negatively correlated with DDE residues in the egg contents. Ibis were the most sensitive species to DDE- induced shell thinning. Generally, reduced reproductive success for ibis started at lower DDE egg residues (3 ppm) than for either Snowy Egrets (5 ppm) or night-herons (8 ppm). Egg residue profiles, band recoveries, biotelemetry studies, and residues in fish and other prey items implicate the southwestern United States (a wintering area) as an important source of DDT-DDE that caused the most serious reproductive problem encountered during the study (in night-herons nesting at Ruby Lake, Nevada). Available evidence indicates that the three other species, together with night- herons from Oregon and Idaho, winter in Latin America.

Idaho, Nevada, Oregon↗
USGS1985

Recent Red-shouldered Hawk range expansion north into Oregon including first specimen record

In this paper we review 46 Red-shouldered Hawk ( Buteo lineatus ) observation records from Oregon between 1971 and 1983. The literature contained only two records prior to 1971: Johnson's (1880) record without a specific date or locality from the Willamette Valley of western Oregon, and Bendire's (1892) two nests located in 1878 near Camp Harney in eastern Oregon. Gabrielson and Jewett (1940) placed the species on the Oregon hypothetical list because they doubted the validity of the previous identifications. However, Browning (1973) measured the eggs collected by Bendire, reviewed his field notes, and concluded that there was ample evidence the species had occurred in Oregon despite the absence of records for nearly 100 years.

Oregon↗
USGS1985

Organophosphate insecticide (famphur) topically applied to cattle kills magpies and hawks

A systematic field study of a black-billed magpie ( Pica pica ) population revealed that magpies and red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis ) were killed by famphur (=famophos, Warbex®) used as a pouron to control cattle warbles ( Hypoderma sp.). Magpie mortality began on treatment day and continued for more than 3 months (38 found dead); mortality peaked between Day 5 and Day 13. Estimates of magpie density (based on transects) decreased in both the control and treatment areas, but the decrease was greater in the treatment area. A red-tailed hawk found dead on Day 10 had eaten a famphur-contaminated magpie. Another red-tailed hawk was found alive but immobilized, and a third died outside the study area. Brain cholinesterase (ChE) activity was 70-92% depressed in all dead birds examined; famphur residues were detected in all 17 magpies and the 2 hawks analyzed. The amount of famphur obtained by the dead magpies was estimated at 5.2-6.1 mg/kg (based on residue concentrations in the gizzard), which was above the acute oral LD50 for several bird species. The cow hair portion (12%) of the pooled gizzard contents from 13 other dead magpies produced extremely high famphur residues (4,600 ppm). The residues persisted on cattle hair for more than 90 days post-treatment. Magpie populations in the far western states declined between 1968 and 1979, which corresponds with widespread use of famphur, although other factors may be involved.

Washington↗
USGS1985

Effects of pelletized anticoagulant rodenticides on California quail

A moribund, emaciated California quail (Callipepla californica) that was found in an orchard in the state of Washington had an impacted crop and gizzard. Pellets containing the anticoagulant chlorophacinone (Rozol, RO) were in the crop; the gizzard contents consisted of a pink mass of paraffin that was selectively accumulated from the paraffinized pellets. The plasma prothrombin time of 28 sec was near that determined for control quail. The signs of RO intoxication seen in the moribund wild quail were duplicated in captive quail given ad libitum diets of either RO or another paraffinized chlorophacinone pellet (Mr. Rat Guard II, MRG). This left little doubt that paraffin impaction of the gizzard was the primary problem. All captive quail fed RO or MRG pellets showed no increases in prothrombin times compared to control values, died in an emaciated condition, and had gizzards impacted with paraffin.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1985

The status of osprey research in western North America

The status of research on the Osprey tn western North America is reviewed. For discussion purposes the geographical populations are conveniently subdivided into Canada and Alaska, the Pacific Northwest of the United States, the western interior of the United States, and Mexico. Suggestions are made for further research on the populations in each region. In addition, possible research and management activities related to the extirpated or nearly extirpated California population on the Channel Islands and along the southern coast are presented.

Book chapter↗
USGS1985

Organochlorine pesticides in plasma of migrating peregrine falcons at Padre Island, Texas, Spring 1978-80 vs. Spring 1984

A spring concentration of migrating Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) was first discovered at Padre Island, Texas, in April 1978. The birds were first captured and blood-sampled for monitoring residue burdens and trends in the late 1970' s. Only 29 Peregrines were sampled in 1978 and 1979, but 111 were sampled in 1980. The initial investigation showed that DDE in the plasma of spring migrants returning from Latin America for the first time declined significantly during the study (through 1980). In the spring of 1984, 48 Peregrines were captured at Padre Island with blood samples again collected. This report will compare plasma residue data from the earlier study with residues obtained in 1984.

Book chapter↗