Biological monitoring of chemical contamination at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

212 Pages·1993·7.2 MB·English

by  McKee, M.J.

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BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION AT
CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
by
Michael J. McKee1
Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois
FINAL REPORT
Prepared for the
United States Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
July 1993
1 Present address: Monsanto, The Agricultural Group, C2SE, 800 N. Lindbergh
Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63167

ABSTRACT
Several hazardous waste sites have been identified at Crab Orchard
National Wildlife Refuge near Carterville, IL. Area 9 Landfill, Job Corp
Landfill, and the Old Refuge Shop have soil contaminated with polychlorinated
biphenyls, lead and cadmium. The objectives of this research were to
establish baseline levels for these contaminants in terrestrial biota,
determine the extent of biological effects, and establish the degree of
ecological risk posed by the sites.
PCBs, but not lead, readily move from contaminated soils into the
terrestrial community. Pre-remediation levels were established in this report
for June beetle adults, tree bark, honeysuckle, white-footed mice, starlings
and Canada geese. June beetles and tree bark are particularly good monitoring
organisms because they are relatively easy to collect and will probably be
only moderately impacted by remediation activities.
PCBs at the landfills were associated with biological effects in
earthworms, white-footed mice, and starlings. Acute risk was apparent for
soil dwelling invertebrates. Hepatic effects were evident in white-footed
mice occupying Area 9 Landfill and Job Corp Landfill. Carcass concentrations
of PCBs found in white-footed mice were also likely to be associated with
decreased reproduction, based on laboratory studies. Reproductive effects, in
the form of reduced hatching success, were documented in starlings occupying
nest boxes next to Area 9 Landfill. The reduced hatch appeared to be related
to decreased parental attentativeness rather than direct effects on embryos.
The ecological risk assessment clearly establishes risk to individual
organisms associated with landfills at Crab Orchard NWR, especially those
containing PCBs. Individual risk is high for organisms occurring on or near
the landfills. The risk of population decline over a large geographic area is
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