Concentrations of p,p′-DDE in plasma of nestling Wood Storks from Georgia

We determined the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and total PCBs in plasma of nestling Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) from two colonies in Georgia in 2000. Of 20 compounds analyzed for, only p,p′-DDE was quantified in reportable concentrations, ranging from <2.0–174.0 ng/g wet weight (ww). Concentrations of p,p′-DDE were significantly greater (P < 0.0001) in plasma of nestlings from an inland colony, Chew Mill (x¯16.9ng/g,ww) than a coastal colony, Harris Neck (x¯1.2ng/g,ww). Concentrations from nestlings from Chew Mill were significantly different among sampling weeks (P = 0.01), with week 8 being significantly greater than weeks 1, 2, and 5. While the Chew Mill colony had much greater concentrations of p,p′-DDE in plasma of nestlings than the Harris Neck colony, reproduction was greater there (1.8 ± 1.0 SD fledged young per nesting attempt) than Harris Neck (1.4 ± 1.0 SD fledged young per nesting attempt). While concentrations of p,p′-DDE determined in plasma of nestling Wood Storks are an indirect measure of adult exposure to environmental toxicants, concentrations reported would not be considered detrimental to reproduction in these colonies.