CHLORINATED CONTAMINANTS IN CHORIOALLANTOIC MEMBRANES FROM GREAT BLUEHERON EGGS AT WHIDBEY-ISLAND NAVAL-AIR-STATION

Chorio-allantoic membranes (CAMs) were collected and analyzed for chlo rinated hydrocarbons as part of a wildlife toxicology demonstration pr oject at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Washington, USA. Conc entrations of DDT, DDE, DDD, Aroclor 1254, and Aroclor 1260 were found at concentrations below 0.4 ppm for 13 of 14 samples. The low correla tions among DDT and its metabolites in CAMs suggest herons are not bei ng exposed to a consistent source of these compounds. Comparison of ch lorinated hydrocarbon data for CAMs from three Puget Sound heron colon ies, NAS Whidbey, Samish Island and Dumas Bay, indicates contaminant b urdens in herons from NAS Whidbey and Samish Island are significantly lower than burdens in herons from Dumas Bay.