Contaminants in common eiders (Somateria mollissima) of the Canadian Arctic

Contamination of the Arctic environment by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and trace elements remains a key concern for local residents as well as wildlife and resource management organizations. The common eider (Somateria mollissima) is a large marine duck that forms an important component of the diet of many Arctic predators, including humans. Although various studies have been carried out to evaluate the role of a few contaminants thought to be of local concern, efforts to assess contaminant residues in eider tissues have not been comprehensive. In this review, we summarize the available information on POPs and trace elements in common eiders across the Canadian Arctic. With the exception of one adult bird collected near Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, eiders had detectable but low concentrations of most POPs, in some cases markedly lower than European eiders, and in all cases far lower than POP levels found in sympatric marine birds. However, common eiders did have elevated concentrations of many trace elements, noticeably cadmium, selenium, and copper, but these were below levels associated with toxicological risk to marine birds. Although the collective evidence suggests that common eiders of the Canadian Arctic may carry elevated levels of some contaminants, there was no evidence that these levels posed a threat to wildlife health. Key words: common Eider, persistent organic pollutants, trace elements, Arctic Canada.