Impairment of Growth and Immune Function of Avocet Chicks from Sites with Elevated Selenium, Arsenic, and Boron

摘要

Avocet chicks hatched from eggs collected from the south Central Valley of California were studied to determine the impact of elevated concentrations of selenium, boron, and arsenic on the immune system and growth to maturity. Selenium, arsenic, and boron residues were measured in water, eggs, and tissues of birds that died or were killed at the end of the experiment. Westfarmers pond had elevated concentrations of selenium, boron, and arsenic. Pryse ponds also had elevated selenium, arsenic, and boron concentrations as compared to the reference site. The birds that were most severely impacted by exposure to these compounds were those that hatched from eggs collected from Pryse ponds.