Contaminants and sea ducks in Alaska and the circumpolar region.

We review nesting sea duck population declines in Alaska during recent decades and explore the possibility that contaminants may be implicated. Aerial surveys of the surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), white-winged scoter (M. fusca), black scoter (M.

Influence of body size and developmental stage of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) on lethality of several toxicants.

Acute 96 h bioassays were conducted on coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) to determine their sensitivity to each of four toxicants during development. Alevins, swim-up fry and juveniles (up to 175 days post-hatch) were exposed to lethal concentrations of copper, zinc, nickel, or pentachlorophenol each week to monitor changes in susceptibility as the fish grew. Fish exhibited a high degree of susceptibility to all of the toxicants during the alevin stage.