Sl. Osowski et al., THE DECLINE OF MINK IN GEORGIA, NORTH-CAROLINA, AND SOUTH-CAROLINA - THE ROLE OF CONTAMINANTS, Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, 29(3), 1995, pp. 418-423
Since the 1960s, mink (Mustela vison) populations in Georgia, North Ca
rolina, and South Carolina have declined, especially in the coastal pl
ain. A prior study suggested that the decline may stem from environmen
tal contaminants. Based on water quality data from each state, we iden
tified 17 substances potentially related to the decline: aldrin, dield
rin, endrin, DDD, DDE, DDT, PCBs, chlordane, alpha-BHC, toxaphene, dib
enzofuran, copper, chromium, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury. Mink
livers were analyzed for PCB and organochlorine pesticides, and kidne
ys and femurs were analyzed for metals. Reference sample concentration
s from piedmont, mountain, and foothill locations were compared to sta
te coastal plain totals and counties. PCBs for Georgia, dieldrin for S
outh Carolina, and endrin and aldrin for North Carolina were significa
ntly higher than the piedmont reference group. Liver PCB concentration
s were higher than those known to cause mink reproductive dysfunction.
Mercury concentrations were significantly higher in coastal plain min
k from all three states and were in the range of those known to cause
impacts to reproduction, growth, and behavior to wild mink. it is unkn
own what concentrations of cyclodienes cause reduced reproduction or o
ther physiological effects in mink, but the levels reported here proba
bly indicate background concentrations that do not contribute to the d
ecline.