Patterns in winter site fidelity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure risk in Barrow’s goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) in the Pacific Northwest

Species inhabiting coastal areas can serve as indicators of marine pollution. Hydrocarbons occur naturally in marine ecosystems and wildlife have evolved detoxification systems to manage hydrocarbon exposure. Human activities may increase hydrocarbons in the environment, to the extent that they may be detrimental to biota. Elevated hydrocarbon exposure can be measured directly as increased concentrations in some species, or through biomarkers of active detoxification systems. I found that cytochrome P4501A induction in liver tissue of Barrow’s goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration in their winter prey, blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) were correlated across coastal sites in British Columbia, despite generally low PAH concentrations. Using satellite telemetry, I determined that winter movements of Pacific goldeneyes were small, indicating that biomarkers reflected local hydrocarbon levels. These results indicate that the mussel – goldeneye system is useful for evaluating contemporary marine hydrocarbon contamination and recovery endpoints in the event of spills.