and L. Comerci (1994) Toxicological studies of
white phosphorus contamination and potential treat-
white phosphorus in waterfowl. In Interagency
ability at Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.H. Racine and
expanded site investigation: Evaluation of white phos-
D. Cate, Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S.
Army Garrison, Alaska, Directorate of Public
phorus contamination and potential treatability at
Works, FY93 Final Report, p. 259266.
Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.H. Racine and D. Cate,
Nine taxa of macroinvertebrates were collect-
Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S. Army Garri-
ed with dip nets in four ponded areas of ERF; the
son, Alaska, Directorate of Public Works, FY93 Fi-
most commonly caught taxa including odonates,
nal Report, p. 133151.
chironomids, and snails. Macroinvertebrates and
The acute median lethal dose for adult male
fish were identified to species or genus, minced
and juvenile mallards exposed to P4 dissolved in
and mixed with isooctane for WP analysis.
Because of quality assurance problems, the
interval = 5.86.9). Adult females were substan-
results were inconclusive and additional sam-
tially less sensitive to P4 than other age/sex classes.
pling of fish and invertebrates is needed.
(The median lethal dose could not be calculated
for this age/sex class.) Acute exposure to P4 pro-
Sparling, D.W., R. Grove, and L. Comerci (1994)
duced obvious clinical signs of 1) lethargy, ataxia,
WP poisoning of waterbirds in ERF. In Interagency
and mild leg trembling (these could either recover
expanded site investigation: Evaluation of white phos-
or progress into more advanced stages); 2) more
phorus contamination and potential treatability at
severe trembling and a stereotyped bill move-
Eagle River Flats, Alaska (C.H. Racine and D. Cate,
ment; and 3) severe convulsions terminating in
Ed.). CRREL Contract Report to U.S. Army Garri-
death. A characteristic very hard rigor mortis set
son, Alaska, Directorate of Public Works, FY93
in within 510 minutes after death in many cases.
Final Report, p. 235240.
Some of the birds on repeated doses did not enter
Waterfowl found dead at Eagle River Flats dis-
the convulsion phase and may have died from
played many of the same pathological signs as
renal or liver failure. Gross necropsies and histo-
those that died during laboratory experiments.
pathology revealed that birds acutely dosed with
Liver necroses and foci, pancreatic and coronary
>5.2 mg/kg P4 frequently had foci, necrosis, and
petechiae, and hard rigor were observed in mal-
cellular vacuolations in the liver; damage to the
lards, pintails, and green-winged teal. Brain cho-
proximal and distal convoluted tubules in the
linesterase appeared to be depressed in a few of
kidneys; and petechiae in the coronary fat band
the specimens collected in the field.
and pancreas. Brains of birds that died on dose
One tern had an enlarged liver compared to
often displayed mild to severe hemorrhaging or
birds from a reference area. Two of five dowitch-
congestion. Duodena were also congested. Brain
ers and one Arctic tern had depressed brain ChE
ChE activity was depressed in a dose-response
levels. Four of 18 mew gull embryos that were
manner in male mallards acutely exposed to P4,
collected as eggs and incubated displayed mild to
but plasma ChE did not differ among doses. In
moderate hydrocephaly, and one mew gull and a
contrast, the brain ChE of females did not differ
herring gull embryo had crossed bills. The signif-
due to dose, but there was a depression in plasma
icance of these abnormalities and how they may
ChE activity at higher dose levels. Cholinesterase
relate to P4 exposure are being investigated.
depression may be a useful method of detecting
We collected 11 Arctic terns, 16 mew gulls, 5
P4 exposure, but additional tests are required
lesser yellowlegs, 3 greater yellowlegs, 9 dow-
before this method can be recommended.
itchers and 8 northern phalaropes with a shotgun
The lowest-observed-effects level for acute
in ERF. Skin and crop contents of these birds were
mortality of mallards in this study was 4 mg/kg.
analyzed for WP. No detectable levels of P4 were
However, organ damage was observed at the
found in any bird.
lowest dose used, 2 mg/kg.
Carcasses of 1 phalarope, 1 lesser yellowlegs, 3
White phosphorus levels in acutely dosed mal-
pintails, 1 blue-winged teal, 14 green-winged teal
lards that died during the study ranged from
and 14 mallards were collected in ERF. They were
below detection to 1.776 mg/kg for fat, 0.959 mg/
necropsied and analyzed for P4. All of the ducks
kg in skin, and 0.027 mg/kg in liver. We could not
tested positive for WP, but the phalarope and less-
detect a linear relationship between P4 residues
er yellowlegs did not.
and dosage. Birds that survived for a week had
residue levels that were <1/100 of those in birds
that had died at the same doses. White phospho-
Sparling, D.W., R. Grove, E. Hill, M. Gustafson,
63
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