The objective of this project is to use tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to understand the ecological risk posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at selected Department of Defense (DoD) sites in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. There is a void, which this study will fill, on ecotoxicological effects of PFAS on birds, especially those with high exposure potential like aquatic insectivores. This project will include delineation of exposure pathways and quantifying effects, if any, on ecological receptors.

Due to tree swallows now being widely used to quantify distribution and effects of local surface water and sediment contamination, including PFAS, they are an ideal model species to use in this context. Study populations can be established at specific locations of interest by deploying nest boxes in suitable habitats. Because they feed near those nest boxes (within 400 meters (m)) on emergent aquatic insects, residues in their tissues reflect sediment contamination for bioavailable contaminants. They will nest relatively densely; therefore, adequate sample sizes can usually be obtained. Additionally, data are now available on exposure and effects of various contaminants including PFAS in tree swallows at >100 locations across North America.

Twenty tree swallow nest boxes will be attached to posts in proximity to suitable habitats at up to three DoD locations in the mid-Atlantic area. DoD locations will include former Naval Air Station (NAS) Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove (n = 3 sites), where swallow work is ongoing, and possibly Patuxent River NAS in Maryland and Joint Base McGuire in New Jersey. Similar to Willow Grove, DoD installations may need multiple sites to adequately characterize PFAS exposure, depending on the size and extent of the potential contamination. Boxes will be placed approximately 30 m apart, but this can vary depending on the structure of the habitat. As nesting is being initiated, nest boxes will be visited regularly (approximately weekly, but occasionally more often) and reproductive data collected according to standard operating procedures. Reproductive data will include the number of eggs laid, number that hatched, and number of fledglings. Reproductive data will be compiled using estimates of daily nest and egg survival. At appropriate times, a sample of eggs (1 or 2 per nest box) will be collected under appropriate federal and state permits for chemical analyses. Unhatched eggs may also be collected. The eggs will be stored in a refrigerator and then processed before being analyzed for a suite of contaminants by a contract laboratory (SGSAXYS, Inc.). Additionally, one or two 12-day-old nestlings will be collected from each nest box for analytical chemistry and a suite of bioindicator responses such as ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase (detoxifying liver enzyme), thyroid hormone levels, oxidative stress measurements, and genetic damage assessments among others.

Perfluorinated substances (n = 33) will be analyzed in tree swallow tissues (eggs and nestling carcasses), as well as, in one or two composite stomach contents that represent what nestlings are being fed. The sampling targets will be 10 egg samples and 10 nestling samples per site. While PFAS are the primary chemical of concern, a small number nestling carcasses (5 per site) will also be analyzed for a standard suite of organochlorine contaminants, polychlorinated biphenyls and their livers analyzed for trace elements (n = 15) to understand exposure to other possible contaminants. A nearby reference location (Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge, Laurel, Maryland), will also have samples analyzed for PFAS (n = 5 per matrix) for comparative purposes and to serve as the baseline for biomarker analyses. Two levels of effects will be assessed. At the population level, reproductive effects measured as percentage hatching and daily probability of nest success, will be assessed relative to PFAS and other contaminant exposure in eggs. Biomarker responses, which are indicative of whether exposure is enough to elicit a physiological response in individual birds, will be compared to normal responses as well as assessed relative to PFAS and other chemical exposures. 

This study is scalable, and no-observed-adverse-effect level/lowest-observed-adverse-effect level results transferable to other DoD locations. The results will allow the DoD to further understand the ecological risk posed by PFAS to avian species in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Results will contribute to assessments of the health of the target ecosystems and will provide a baseline for future trend and/or geographic analyses at DoD locations.