Exposure to multiple classes of contaminants, both legacy and those of emerging concern (CECs), were assessed in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) tissue and diet samples from 6 sites along the Maumee River, OH to understand both exposure and possible effects of exposure to those CECs for which there is little avian data. The six sites represented a gradient from intensive agriculture upstream to highly urbanized and industrial landscapes downstream; 1 – 2 remote Wisconsin lakes were assessed for comparative purposes. Cytochrome P450 induction, DNA damage, and thyroid function were also assessed relative to contaminant exposure. Bioaccumulative CECs, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and perfluorinated substances, did not follow any upstream to downstream gradient, but both had significantly greater concentrations along the Maumee River than at the remote lake sites. Greater exposure to PBDEs was apparent in swallows at or near wastewater treatment facilities than at other sites. Total polychlorinated biphenyl and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations were at greater concentrations in swallows at downstream locations compared to upstream sites and were associated with higher ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity. Few herbicides or non-organochlorine insecticides were detected in swallow tissues or their food, except for atrazine and its metabolite desethylatrazine, the latter of which was detected in all food samples, eggs, and nearly all nestling carcasses from along the Maumee River. Few pharmaceuticals and personal care products were detected in tree swallow tissue or sediment samples except for DEET and iopamidol. Both were detected in most liver samples, but not in eggs, and were detected at the remote lake sites as well. This is one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of exposure and effects of CECs in birds.

Contaminant exposure of tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor, nesting in the Great Lakes basin was assessed in 2010 to 2014. Tree swallow nestlings were collected from 69 sites which included multiple sites at some of the 27 Areas of Concern (AOCs) and at nine non-AOC sites. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) concentrations were measured in nestling stomach contents. Concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs were measured in nestling carcasses. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in nestling plasma. Pooled dietary concentrations of total PAHs were highest at the Rouge River, MI AOC (1,856 ng/g wet weight) and lowest at White Lake, MI AOC (14 ng/g). Nestling PCB concentrations were highest at Waukegan Harbor, IL AOC (geometric mean = 5,908 ng/g) and lowest at a Green Mountain, MN (7 ng/g), a non-AOC. Nestling PBDE concentrations were highest at Torch Lake, MI AOC (72 ng/g) and lowest at Wild Rice Lake, MN (3 ng/g), a non-AOC. Drainages associated with Wurtsmith Air Force Base, MI (non-AOC) had the highest PFC plasma concentrations (1,649 ng/ml) compared to the lowest concentration at Torch Lake, MI AOC (21 ng/ml). Both PAH and PCB concentrations in nestling stomach contents were significantly correlated with concentrations reported in sediment from AOCs in another study. Concentrations of PCBs in mussels measured at AOCs in another study were also significantly correlated with PCB concentrations in tree swallow nestlings. Both PCB and PBDE concentrations were significantly correlated among diet, nestling carcasses, and sibling eggs measured in a companion study.

Contaminant exposure of tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor, nesting in the Great Lakes basin was assessed in 2010 to 2014. Tree swallow nestlings were collected from 69 sites which included multiple sites at some of the 27 Areas of Concern (AOCs) and at nine non-AOC sites. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) concentrations were measured in nestling stomach contents. Concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs were measured in nestling carcasses. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in nestling plasma. Pooled dietary concentrations of total PAHs were highest at the Rouge River, MI AOC (1,856 ng/g wet weight) and lowest at White Lake, MI AOC (14 ng/g). Nestling PCB concentrations were highest at Waukegan Harbor, IL AOC (geometric mean = 5,908 ng/g) and lowest at a Green Mountain, MN (7 ng/g), a non-AOC. Nestling PBDE concentrations were highest at Torch Lake, MI AOC (72 ng/g) and lowest at Wild Rice Lake, MN (3 ng/g), a non-AOC. Drainages associated with Wurtsmith Air Force Base, MI (non-AOC) had the highest PFC plasma concentrations (1,649 ng/ml) compared to the lowest concentration at Torch Lake, MI AOC (21 ng/ml). Both PAH and PCB concentrations in nestling stomach contents were significantly correlated with concentrations reported in sediment from AOCs in another study. Concentrations of PCBs in mussels measured at AOCs in another study were also significantly correlated with PCB concentrations in tree swallow nestlings. Both PCB and PBDE concentrations were significantly correlated among diet, nestling carcasses, and sibling eggs measured in a companion study.

The Maumee River and associated tributaries are an example of a system influenced by a mosaic of contaminant inputs from point and nonpoint sources along a gradient of land uses. To assess the potential effects of contaminants on aquatic biota in a system this complex requires a combination of targeted and nontargeted analytical and biological monitoring techniques to provide data that can be assembled and interpreted in an integrated manner. The aim of the current paper was to provide a practical demonstration of this type of approach using a variety of state-of-the-science pathway-based tools. Studies conducted in 2012 and 2106 showed that contaminants in the upper part of the Maumee River reflect agricultural practices, while downstream, the suite of chemicals present includes those from agriculture in conjunction with contaminants more indicative of a general urban setting, influenced in some areas by WWTP inputs. Biological responses using in vitro assays with surface water samples, and measures of biological responses in caged fish deployed a various sites in the Maumee River were used to assess the potential for perturbation of specific biological pathways. Overall there was little evidence for contaminant effects on endocrine pathways involved is reproduction or development. However, multiple lines of evidence suggested the presence of contaminants that could inhibit or induce cytochrome P450-based enzymes thereby influencing biological pathways/processes associated with these ubiquitous proteins. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Ankley, G., J. Berninger, B. Blackwell, J. Cavallin, T. Collette, D. Ekman, K. Fay, D. Feifarek, K. Jensen, M. Kahl, J. Mosley, S. Poole, E. Randolph, D. Rearick, A. Schroeder, J. Swintek, and D. Villeneuve. Pathway-based approaches for assessing biological hazards of complex mixtures of contaminants: A case study in the Maumee River. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, FL, USA, 40(4): 1098–1122, (2021).

The Grand Calumet River (GCR), located in northern Indiana, is contaminated due to a wide range of historical industrial activities. Short-term and long-term sediment exposure bioassays with the amphipod Hyalella azteca, the midge Chironomus dilutus, and the mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea were conducted with samples collected in 2013, 2015, and 2017, from up to 26 sites, including both remediated, non-remediated and relatively uncontaminated reference sites. The responses (survival, growth, reproduction and/or emergence) of test organisms to the exposure bioassays are presented here.

This dataset consists of 262 variables which describe various known and suspected point and non-point sources of contaminants and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Contaminant data was summarized to the NHDPlus Version 2.1 catchment level (1:100K). Contaminant data summarized span a time range of 2001 to 2016 and include regulated facilities, pesticides, manure and biosolids application data, mercury deposition, animal feeding applications, septic systems, landfills, and land use and land cover. These data are presented in a comma separated file, which includes all variables summarized and the NHDPlus Version 2.1 FEATUREID field (also known as COMID). The FEATUREID field can be used to relate these summaries to the NHDPlus Version 2.1 data suite for mapping and other analytical purposes. Total (TOT) and Divergent (DIV) upstream summaries were generated using the NHDPlusV2 Catchment Attribute Allocation and Accumulation Tool (CA3TV2). Using this method, upstreams summaries are generated for 82,263 of the 83,637 NHDPlus catchments in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. These data will be used to investigate source-sink linkages between contaminant sources, water quality issues, and impacted receptor populations (e.g., smallmouth bass) throughout the Bay Watershed. Information gained from this work may also be used to evaluate the success of mitigation activities and help to prioritize new locations for mitigation, implementation of best management practices, or habitat conservation actions.

Water and sediment was collected to assess the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in National Park waters of the northern Colorado Plateau, USA. CEC presence in water and sediment is reported for 21 sites in eight U.S. national parks in the northern Colorado Plateau region. From 2012 to 2016, at least one PPCP and/or WWI was detected at most sites on over half of sampling visits, indicating that CECs are not uncommon even in isolated areas. Maximum concentrations in this study were generally below available water quality benchmarks, sediment quality guidelines, and concentrations known to induce biological activity in vitro. C occurrence patterns and similarities between continuous and isolated flow locations suggest that direct contamination from individual visitors may also occur. While the data indicate there is little aquatic health risk associated with CECs at our sites, results demonstrate the ubiquity of CECs on the landscape and a continued need for public outreach concerning resource-use ethics and the potential effects of upstream development. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Weissinger, R., B. Blackwell, K. Keteles, W. Battaglin, and P. Bradley. Bioactive contaminants of emerging concern in national park waters of the northern Colorado plateau, USA. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 636: 910-918, (2018).

Water and sediment was collected to assess the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in National Park waters of the northern Colorado Plateau, USA. CEC presence in water and sediment is reported for 21 sites in eight U.S. national parks in the northern Colorado Plateau region. From 2012 to 2016, at least one PPCP and/or WWI was detected at most sites on over half of sampling visits, indicating that CECs are not uncommon even in isolated areas. Maximum concentrations in this study were generally below available water quality benchmarks, sediment quality guidelines, and concentrations known to induce biological activity in vitro. C occurrence patterns and similarities between continuous and isolated flow locations suggest that direct contamination from individual visitors may also occur. While the data indicate there is little aquatic health risk associated with CECs at our sites, results demonstrate the ubiquity of CECs on the landscape and a continued need for public outreach concerning resource-use ethics and the potential effects of upstream development. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Weissinger, R., B. Blackwell, K. Keteles, W. Battaglin, and P. Bradley. Bioactive contaminants of emerging concern in national park waters of the northern Colorado plateau, USA. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 636: 910-918, (2018).