ELEVATED POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZODIOXIN AND DIBENZOFURAN CONCENTRATIONS IN GREBES, DUCKS, AND THEIR PREY NEAR PORT-ALBERNI, BRITISH-COLUMBIA, CANADA

In 1989, eight estuarine bird species were collected from the Somass R iver estuary, downstream of the Port Alberni Pulp and Paper Mill. Thei r livers were analysed for 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) residues. All bi rds contained PCDD and PCDF residues, but the highest levels were foun d in Red-necked (Podiceps grisegena), and Western (Aechmophorus occide ntalis) grebes. Elevated PCDD levels were also detected in Corophium a mphipods collected in 1991 (present in stomachs of most bird species e xamined) in the estuary. The birds may have acquired the PCDDs, and PC DFs, from eating contaminated Corophium.