Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Lanner Falco iarmicus feldeggii Schlegel Chicks and Lanner Prey in Sicily, Italy

Movalli, Paola; Lo Valvo, Mario; Pereira, M. Gloria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3740-0019; Osborn, Daniel. 2008 Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Lanner Falco iarmicus feldeggii Schlegel Chicks and Lanner Prey in Sicily, Italy. Ambio, 37 (6). 445-451. 10.1579/0044-7447(2008)37[445:OPAPBC]2.0.CO;2

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1579/0044-7447(2008)37[445:OP...

Abstract/Summary

This paper reports on research conducted to elucidate the risk posed to the Sicilian population of the endangered lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii Schlegel by organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as part of a wider study on contaminant risk to the lanner. Seventeen lanner nest sites were studied in northern and central Sicily. Sampling (in 2005) and analysis were carried out for selected OC pesticides and PCB congeners in lanner chick blood (15 chicks from 6 nest sites) and in two of the main lanner prey species, magpie Pica pica (36 individuals from 6 lanner nest sites) and rock dove Columba livia (10 individuals from 2 lanner nest sites). No OC and PCB residues were found in lanner chick blood above the detection limits, except for one solitary congener PCB153 (21.8 ng g−1 wet weight), suggesting that these contaminants do not pose a significant risk to lanner chicks in the study area. Magpie and dove appeared mostly free of contamination with OC pesticides, though contamination levels were significantly higher in magpie than in dove. The presence of exceptional DDE and HEOD values in 8% of the P. pica sample, and one P. pica sample showing recent DDT contamination, may indicate a local OC pesticide hazard to some lanner. Future research to further elucidate the contaminant risk to lanner in Sicily is suggested.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1579/0044-7447(2008)37[445:OPAPBC]2.0.CO;2
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0044-7447
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Chemistry
Date made live:	17 Nov 2008 09:13 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/4622

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1579/0044-7447(2008)37[445:OPAPBC]2.0.CO;2

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Shore

ISSN:

0044-7447

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment
Chemistry