were measured at each collection site. This infor-
Racine, C.H., M.E. Walsh, C.M. Collins, D.J.
mation was managed and displayed using a Geo-
Calkins, and B.D. Roebuck (1991) Waterfowl
graphical Information System (GIS). During May,
mortality in Eagle River Flats, Alaska: The role of
munition compounds. CRREL Contract Report to
93 water and sediment samples, obtained mainly
the U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials
from explosion craters, were tested for TNT or
Agency, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
RDX with a field test kit developed at CRREL. Nei-
USATHAMA Report No. CETHA-IR-CR-991008.
ther of these two compounds were detected in
For more than 10 years, the cause of catastroph-
these samples; however, in the laboratory high-
ic waterfowl mortality in Eagle River Flats (ERF)
performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC)
has remained a mystery. Eagle River Flats is an
techniques revealed the presence of 2,4-DNT (a ni-
estuarine salt marsh on upper Cook Inlet that has
troaromatic compound) in three samples adjacent
been used for over 40 years as an Army artillery
to an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) area.
impact area on Ft. Richardson. During the 1990
Intensive sampling of this area in the fall (172 sed-
spring and fall waterfowl migration period in ERF,
iment samples) revealed that 62 samples in a large
CRREL and the Dartmouth Medical School exam-
area of tall sedge marsh adjacent to the EOD were
ined the hypothesis that contamination with mu-
contaminated with 2,4-DNT (up to 62.9 mg/g),
nition compounds from test firing is the cause of
probably from improper disposal of 2,4-DNT-
containing propellant grains on the EOD pad.
this mortality. Firing into a wetland such as ERF
could result in incomplete combustion and the
In addition, a single sediment sample, collected
deposition of munition residues in the sediments.
Since dabbling ducks (teal, pintails, and mallards)
duced smoke when the collection jar was opened
and swans (trumpeter and tundra), which feed in
in the laboratory. When this sample was analyzed
the bottom sediments of shallow ponds, are the
by gas chromatographymass spectroscopy
major victims, we assumed that the toxin is proba-
(GCMS) techniques, the presence of white phos-
bly located in these pond sediments. Based on our
phorus was confirmed. Subsequent GCMS analy-
1990 field and laboratory studies, white phospho-
sis of 15 additional sediment samples collected in
rus from past firing of smoke-producing projectiles
the fall revealed the presence of white phosphorus
has been identified as the causative agent of water-
(WP) in eight, with half of these samples from a
fowl mortality in ERF.
shallow pond used by waterfowl.
To determine if munition compounds are the
The behavior of dying ducks observed and
cause of waterfowl mortality in ERF, our studies
videotaped in ERF during the fall migration
were designed to: 1) review the types, amounts,
included increased drinking, lethargy, head roll-
and toxicity of munitions used in ERF in the past,
ing, and violent convulsions. Tissue samples were
2) determine if munitions are present in ERF sedi-
also collected from stricken ERF waterfowl during
ments, 3) document the circumstances of water-
the fall migration and analyzed for white phos-
fowl death in ERF in terms of feeding and sympto-
phorus. A laboratory toxicity study was conduct-
matic behavior, 4) collect tissues from ducks and
ed in which acute dosages of the two different
swans observed to die in ERF for chemical and
munitions compounds (white phosphorus and
2,4-DNT) found in ERF were fed to domestic mal-
histopathological examination, 5) feed munition
compounds found in the ERF sediments to labora-
lard ducks and their behavior, tissues, and blood
tory ducks and document the effects, and 6) meas-
analyzed. Based on the following evidence from
ure estuarine salt marsh conditions that might in-
these field and laboratory studies of white phos-
fluence the storage or movement of munition
phorus and 2,4 DNT, white phosphorus is the
compounds.
prime candidate for the causative agent of water-
Sediments and water, as well as tissue from
fowl mortality:
dead waterfowl, were collected in Eagle River
The lethal acute dose of white phosphorus to
Flats during the spring (May) and fall (August
laboratory ducks is only milligrams per kilo-
September) 1990 waterfowl migrations. Over 250
gram of body weight, whereas the lethal
sediment and water samples were collected and
dose for 2,4 DNT is on the order of 1 g/kg.
analyzed (93 sediment and water samples in the
Thus, ingestion of small amounts of white
spring and 172 sediment samples in the fall). Col-
phosphorus seems more probable than large
lection sites were precisely located by surveying,
quantities of 2,4-DNT.
and a number of water and sediment (salinity, pH
White phosphorus was found in all water-
and redox potential) and vegetation parameters
fowl carcasses (seven ducks and five swans)
56
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