Loons and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
2013 FIELD REPORT
Background Information
Lead PI: James Paruk
Report completed by: James Paruk
Period Covered by this report: January 1, 2013 to August 30, 2013
James Paruk
Dear Earthwatch Volunteers,
Our second year was a great success! On behalf of Hannah (and Todd), I can’t thank you
enough for your time and contributions to the project. We caught 29 Common Loons (and
one shark; but that’s a story for another time!). In 2013, the loons we sampled showed an
increase in total PAH concentrations compared to 2012. Whereas the average PAH levels
in 2012 were low (averaging 5 parts per billion (ppb)), they increased 20-fold in 2013
(averaging 109ppb), which may be considered moderately high for a loon. There was also a
noticeable shift in the type of PAHs detected between years. In 2012, both total and alkyl
PAHs consisted of lightweight PAHs (e.g., anthracene, 100%), but lightweight PAHs were
not found in the 2013 samples (e.g., anthracene, 0%). Instead, the 2013 samples consisted
of heavier PAHs which are more toxic to wildlife (and humans) than the lightweight ones.
We are currently working with ecotoxicologists to better interpret these data.
Sincerely,
Jim Paruk
SECTION ONE: Scientific research achievements
Top highlight from the past season
As bird researchers it is difficult for us not to be fascinated by sharks, and when Todd
suggested we pick up a buoy one night because he thought there was an Alligator Gar
attached to it, Jim agreed to it. What he didn’t agree to was staring face to face with a 4’
sand shark! The shark notwithstanding, the main highlight has to be the different pattern of
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, or PAHs, we detected in 2013 compared to 2012. The
PAH concentrations were much higher in 2013 compared to 2012, and not only that, they
showed a completely different oil signature. This study shows the value and importance of
long-term data monitoring, especially after a major oil spill.
Reporting against research objectives
Objective 1. Determine the level of PAH in the circulatory system of loons.
We were very successful meeting our first objective. First, we caught 29 Common Loons
and second, we were able to obtain both total and alkyl PAH concentrations from all the
birds.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most widespread organic
pollutants found in the air, soil, and water. They occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and
gasoline and can be released into the air during incomplete burning or inadvertent release of
fossil fuels.
Consequently, there are background levels of PAHs in any environment. Following the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DHOS) in the Gulf of Mexico, in April 2010, scientists found PAH
levels to be 40 times higher than before the area was affected. PAHs are toxic to wildlife and
humans, they are mutagenic, tumerogenic (tend to produce tumors), and carcinogenic. In
addition, they cause a range of health effects including liver damage, anemia, weight loss,
gut damage, and immune suppression. PAHs range from light (naphthalene) to heavy
(Indenol(1, 2, 3-c-d)pyrene) and heavy PAHs are more toxic than light PAHs.
We tested for the parent PAHs as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency
(16 different ones). PAHs are non-soluble compounds that circulate through the body and
can move through food chains, although they do not biomagnify like DDT. Blood (plasma)
samples are ideal for assessing petroleum exposure because they represent that which is
circulating to target organs and causing toxic effects. Blood sampling is relatively non-
invasive (from the leg) and can be repeated easily to monitor contamination over time. We
measured two types of PAHs: 1) total, and 2) alkyl. Besides petroleum, total (parent) PAHs
can come from a variety of sources, including air, soil, and water, so their detection in
wintering loons off the coast of Louisiana does not mean that some, or all of it can be linked
to the DHOS. Alkyl PAHs are derivatives of petroleum and depending on the pattern or
fingerprinting of compound occurrence is potentially a better indicator of linking marine oil
spills to PAHs exposed in marine wildlife.
Year % Loons
with
Total PAHs
Average
Concentrations
(ppb)
Highest Level
Reported (ppb)
2012 61.9%
(13/21)
4.8 + 0.4 8.0
2013 62.1%
(18/29)
109 + 16.2 270.2
Table 1. Concentrations of total PAHs in plasma from wintering Common Loons captured off
the coast of Louisiana, Jan-Mar, 2012 and 2013.
Year % Loons
with
PAHs
Average
Concentrations
(ppb)
Highest Level
Reported (ppb)
2012 42.8% (9/21) 26.9 + 8.4 91.8
2013 34.5%
(10/29)
60.8 + 14.4 158.0
Table 2. Concentrations of alkyl PAHs in plasma from wintering Common Loons captured
off the coast of Louisiana, Jan-Mar, 2012 and 2013.
In 2013, the loons had a 20-fold increase in total PAH concentrations compared to loons
caught in 2012. In 2012, the average total PAH levels in loons were considered low,
averaging 5 ppb, whereas in 2013 the average total PAH levels were 109ppb. This twenty-
fold increase in PAHs was unexpected. Also, there was also a noticeable shift in the type of
PAHs detected between years. In 2012, total PAHs consisted primarily of the two types of
lightweight PAHs, anthracene and fluoranthene. Anthracene was detected in every sample
that tested positive for PAHs (100%) and flouranthene was detected in only 7.7%. In 2013,
there was a noticeable shift in the weight of the PAHs detected. Anthracene fell from 100%
to 0% between years. In 2013, flouranthene increased greatly being detected in 83.3%
(15/18) of the samples compared to 7.7% (1/13) in 2012.
In addition, four new PAHs were detected in 2013 that were not found in 2012, all of these
are considered heavy PAHs: these include chrysene, benzo(a)anthracene,
benzo(b)fluoranthene, and benzo(a)pyrene. The frequency of loons that tested positively for
PAHs did not change between years, but remained at approximately 62%. Alkyl PAHs also
increased in concentrations between years. The 2012 average alkyl PAH concentrations
increased from 26.9 + 8.4ppb to 60.8 + 14.4ppb in 2013. Also, alkyl PAHs changed in
composition, from predominately lightweight to predominately heavyweight PAHs. The
frequency of loons with above detectable concentrations of alkyl PAHs decreased slightly in
2013 (34.5%) compared to 2012 (42.8%).
YEAR Anthracene Fluoranthene Crysene Benzo(a)
anthracene
Benzo(b)
fluoranthene
Benzo(a)
pyrene
2012 100.0%
(13/13)
7.7%
(1/13)
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
2013 0.0%
(13/21)
83.3%
(15/18)
11.1%
(2/18))
0.6%
(1/18)
66.7%
(12/18)
0.6%
(1/18)
Table 3. Frequencies of total PAH types in plasma from wintering Common Loons captured
off the coast of Louisiana, Jan-Mar, 2012 and Jan-Mar, 2013.
Release of Loon
YEAR 2-Methyl
Naphthalene
3-Methyl
Phenanthrene
9-Methyl
Phenanthrene
2012 88.9%
(8/9)
22.2%
(2/9)
11.1%
(1/9)
2013 0.0%
(0/10)
50.0%
(5/10)
100.0%
(10/10)
Table 4. Frequencies of alkyl PAH types in plasma from wintering Common Loons captured
off the coast of Louisiana, Jan-Mar, 2012 and Jan-Mar, 2013.
Objective 2. Determine the diet of wintering loons.
Twenty-six blood samples from wintering loons were collected, in capillary tubes, in 2013.
Samples were stored frozen until analysis. Stable isotope ratio analyses were carried out at
the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a Thermo Delta Plus mass spectrometer coupled to a
Costech elemental analyzer with a zero-blank autosampler. Standard materials of known
isotopic composition were analyzed periodically (e.g., once every 8-10 samples) for quality
assurance and control. Carbon isotope ratios (13C/12C) are expressed in standard delta
notation (delta13C) relative to PDB (Pee Dee Belemnite), and nitrogen isotope ratios
(15N/14N; delta15N) relative to the N2 in air.
The results are grouped according to sampling location (see figure 1).
Figure 1. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios ( 13C and 15N, respectively) of loon blood
samples collected during the 2013 winter field season. All other things being equal, 3.5 15N
units are equivalent to one trophic level in a food chain. 13C values are often correlated
with different habitats, e.g. benthic vs. pelagic, or marsh vs. open water. The error bars
represent + 1 standard deviation.
In general, most of the birds showed considerable overlap in isotope composition except at
Empire Floodgate and Shrimp Dock, which had lower delta15N and delta13C values.
However, note that the error bars represent one standard deviation, so even birds from
these sites may not be significantly different than the others. Differences in isotope ratios
may signify differences in habitat characteristics and/or diet among birds from those sites.
For example, a diet composed mostly of fish may have a different isotopic signature than
one based on benthic mollusks or crustaceans. We collected prey organisms during the
2013 field season; we are in the process of analyzing them with respect to C, N, and S
isotope ratios. Results will be used to refine our understanding of what the loons feed on in
various habitats.
12.5
13
13.5
14
14.5
15
15.5
-21.50 -20.50 -19.50 -18.50 -17.50 -16.50
d1
5 N
d13C
Loon Blood Stable Isotopes - 2013
Bay Adams
AuFer&GrandBayou&UnderBayBrg&BurasBayAdamsCheniere&Lanaux
BayPommeD'Or
Buras Canal
Joshua's Marina
ShrimpDock&Sunrise
EmpireFloodgate-Empire Bridge
Objective 3. Determine habitat use of wintering loons.
We conducted weekly surveys by boat and shore to locate Common Loons and identify
areas they utilized, and potentially, preferred. Immature, or subadult, loons were
consistently observed closer to shore than adults. Near shore, they often utilized bays and
inlets, and even boat marinas. These areas offered protection from storms, but may have
also provided different foraging opportunities that increased their likelihood of capturing prey.
In a few situations, we observed immature loons swimming and foraging along dikes next to
the road. Adults did utilize near shore areas too, but were more often found in the open
water. The use of specific marine habitat is likely dictated by prey availability, which is
influenced by water clarity, depth, salinity gradients and shifting tide lines.
Water levels throughout the study area were shallow (1-3m) and turbid. Secchi disc
readings were less than 1m (avg. 0.6m, n=72) and previous research on breeding loons
recognized at secchi disc reading < 1.5m, that loons change their foraging strategy. This is
likely the case for loons in our study area. Instead of peering and locating prey first, they
dive to the bottom of the sediment and use their bill and sense of touch to disturb and locate
potential prey. This method likely decreases their foraging success because it eliminates
one of their strongest senses, that of vision. If this bottom feeding strategy is employed
primarily as a means of obtaining and meeting their daily requirements, it may mean they
have to spend more time foraging to meet their daily caloric needs. This additional foraging
may put additional stress on wintering loons utilizing suboptimal habitat. Several surveys
were done one hour prior to sunset to observe loons gathering for night-rafting. Loons
arrived at a selected location from several directions as early as 30 minutes before sunset,
and continued gathering until dusk. We did not observe as much night rafting of loons in
2013 as we did on 2012.
SECTION TWO: Impacts
Partnerships
Dr. Mark Pokras, D. M.V., Tufts University. Mark performs live necropsies via Skype with
each team. He educates the volunteers on loon anatomy, health, and disease. Each live
dissection takes approximately 75 min.
Hannah Uher-Koch, loon field biologist. Hannah was the main logistics and field work
coordinator for this project. She has years of experience working with loons and is trained in
outdoor leadership.
Darwin Long, IV, Audubon Aquarium of three Americas, New Orleans. Darwin assisted us in
either giving a lecture or catching loons.
Sam Wainwright, Ph.D.,stable isotope specialist and Lucy Vlietstra, Ph.D., marine seabird
ecologist, both from the United States Coast Guard Academy, assisted by analyzing blood
samples to aid our understanding of what loons eat in the winter. [email protected] and
Keith Grasman, Ph.D., professor of biology at Calvin College, specialist in avian
immunotoxicologist, studying immunosuppression in birds. We conducted a pilot study last
winter on 5 loons in the study area and hope to do more this winter.
Erik Johnson, Ph.D., Director of Louisiana Audubon. He is connected to both the state and
federal agencies with respect to potentially available monies for research in the Gulf.
Contributions to conventions, agendas, policies, management plans
International
The results of our 2013 winter season showing PAHs increased significantly in year 3 after
the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill will be of interest to many health and wildlife agencies
around the world.
National or regional
The results of our 2013 winter season showing PAHs increased significantly in year 3 after
the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill will be of interest to many health and wildlife agencies
around the country.
Local
The results of our 2013 winter season showing PAHs increased significantly in year 3 after
the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill will be of interest to many health and wildlife agencies in
the state of Louisiana.
Developing Environmental Leaders
During the past year, I have presented my research at a variety of professional and informal
gatherings. I presented an evening seminar last spring (May) in Portland, Maine at the
University of Southern Maine about my work with loons, including my work in the Gulf of
Mexico. I also presented my work at a lake association meeting in Maine, and at Squam
Lake Visitor Center, in Holderness, New Hampshire. This fall, students from my Ornithology
class at USM will get exposed to my research in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, I will visit
Finland this fall to discuss my research and conservation work on loons to the International
Research Diver (Loon) Conference in Helsinki, Finland. I am also in the process of
arranging a talk at the Society for Environmental Journalists in New Orleans. Our research
is also linked to our website at www.briloon.org.
Conservation of Taxa
Although Common Loons are not state or federally endangered, they are at risk from the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill because many winter off the coast of Louisiana, and as fish-
eaters they are an important indicator species. Our studies provide much needed data that
can be used on future oil spills to evaluate the effect such events have on loons and other
local wildlife.
Conservation of Habitats
Not directly, but our findings will have potential impact on the settlement and restoration
funds available to the state of Louisiana from the BP Deepwater Horizon settlement that
could be used for conservation of habitat. The coastline of Louisiana is receding faster than
any place else in the USA and restoration efforts are needed to preserve it.
Ecosystem Services
We are monitoring PAHs off the coast of Louisiana in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill in April of 2010. We are using a piscivore, the Common Loon, a marine searbird that
feeds high on the food chain as a bioindicator species. The baseline data we are obtaining
is vital to study the long-term impacts of the spill in the region. It will also be valuable to local
fishermen and both state and federal decision makers regarding the long-term impacts the
spill will have on the local ecosystem, and directly, the people who depend on those
ecosystem services.
Local community activities
We disseminate information through the local boat captains we hire to assist us with the
project. In addition, we live locally for 3-4 months of the year and spend time getting to know
neighbors, local businesses, the landlord, etc and informing them of our work. Even on our
local walks there is often exchange between Earthwatch volunteers and the local people
living in Port Sulphur about our project. All the local people have expressed a keen interest
in our work. We are also arranging to give a talk on our research to the local Audubon
Chapter this winter.
Dissemination of research results
Scientific peer-reviewed publications
J. D. Paruk, D. Long, IV,C. Perkins, A. East, B. J. Sigel and D. C. Evers. 2013/14.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons detected in Common Loons wintering off coastal
Louisiana. Waterbirds 00: 000-000.
Earthwatch was acknowledged in this manuscript. The .pdf has not come out, but
the Editor informed me it should come out in Dec/Jan/Feb issue.
J. D. Paruk, D. Long, IV, S. L. Ford and D. C. Evers. 2013/14. Common Loons Wintering off
Louisiana Coast Tracked to Saskatchewan during the Breeding Season. Waterbirds 00: 000-
000.
This work was conducted one field season before Earthwatch came down to the Gulf,
but it is relevant to the overall picture of the ecology of loons in the local area.
Gray, C., J. D. Paruk, C. R. DeSorbo, L. J. Savoy, D. E. Yates, M. Chickering, R. B. Gray, K.
M. Taylor, D. Long, IV., N. Schoch, W. Hanson and D. C. Evers. 2013/14. Strong Link
between Body Mass and Migration Distance for Common Loons (Gavia immer). Waterbirds
00:000-000.
This work has been a long-term study I have been involving loon body size and
migration distance.
Windels, S.K., E. A. Beever, J. D. Paruk, A. R. Brinkman, J. E. Fox, C. C. MacNulty, D. C.
Evers, L. S. Siegel, and D. C. Osborne. 2013. Effects of Water-Level Management on
Nesting Success of Common Loons. Journal of Wildlife Management (in press).
A collaborative management paper with the National Park Service I had been
involved with for several years.
Grey literature and other dissemination
Reports: I put out a 4 page communication piece entitled, "Listen, for the Loons," that
provided background information on our study in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a large file, too
large to attach here, but I have sent it to my project manager, Heather Pruiksma.
Conferences/Presentation. During the past year, I have presented my research at a variety
of professional and informal gatherings. I presented an evening seminar last spring (May)
in Portland, Maine at the University of Southern Maine about my work with loons, including
my work in the Gulf of Mexico. I also presented my work at a lake association meeting in
Maine, and at Squam Lake Visitor Center, in Holderness, New Hampshire.In addition, I will
visit Finland this fall to discuss my research and conservation work on loons to the
International Research Diver (Loon) Conference in Helsinki, Finland. I am also in the
process of arranging a talk at the Society for Environmental Journalists in New Orleans.
Media: The Common Loon winter gulf study is linked to our bri website, www.briloon/org.
SECTION THREE: Anything else
Project funding
In 2012-13, I submitted proposals to Walt Disney and the National Geographic Waitt
Foundation to fund this work. Unfortunately, both organizations declined funding. Again,
like last year, I pursued several leads with state agencies (Louisiana and Mississippi), but
was unsuccessful. Loons are not listed as a species of concern, threatened or endangered
status in either state, making funding that much more challenging. Also, it does not help
that Common Loons are not federally listed. The states are more interested in focusing
their funds toward studying the impacts of oil on resident wildlife, which is understandable.
This summer I submitted a grant to National Geographic Research and Exploration
Foundation to support new work to examine the sublethal effects of PAH on loon health
(immune system, liver damage). The pre-proposal was approved and I submitted the full
proposal in early July. Parties are notified within three months (typically) whether or not it
was fully or partially funded, so I should be notified soon.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
The data we obtained this past winter, although may not be encouraging for loons, may
assist us in opening some doors to secure some additional funding for this project. I have
also started collaboration with Dr. Erik Johnson, Director of Bird Conservation at Audubon
Louisiana, National Audubon Society, and this may also open the door for some future
funding opportunities. In addition, I will present our new data in the next couple of months,
and because the results our significant, we are hopeful it may allow for increased funding
opportunities.
Acknowledgements
We thank the 31 volunteers from Earthwatch Institute who assisted us in the data collection
and Common Loon capture. They were a source of inspiration and we appreciate their long
hours, dedication, and commitment to this project. We also thank our boat captains, Todd
Seither and Jay Winters, for their expertise in navigating the treacherous Gulf waters and
getting us all home safely each day. We thank Josh Schmitt from Saltgrass Outdoors for
providing us with lodging and southern hospitality. We appreciate their willingness to work
with us. In addition, we thank the following individuals for their significant contributions to the
project: Mark Pokras at Tufts University for performing the loon necropsies, Sam Wainwright
and Lucy Vliestra at the United States Coast Guard Academy for performing the stable
isotope analyses, and Chris Perkins, from the University of Connecticut environmental lab,
for performing the PAH analyses. In addition, Cathy Flegel, and Chris Perkins for reviewing
the report. This project was funded by Earthwatch Institute, and Biodiversity Research
Institute.
Group at Bio Lodge
Volunteer with Data Sheet
Hannah with a Volunteer
