Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Exposure To Residual Concentrations Of Elements From A Remediated Coal Fly Ash Spill Does Not Adversely Influence Stress And Immune Responses Of Nestling Tree Swallows, Michelle L. Beck, William A. Hopkins, John J. Hallagan, Brian P. Jackson, Dana M. Hawley

Dartmouth Scholarship

Anthropogenic activities often produce pollutants that can affect the physiology, growth and reproductive success of wildlife. Many metals and trace elements play important roles in physiological processes, and exposure to even moderately elevated concentrations of essential and non-essential elements could have subtle effects on physiology, particularly during development. We examined the effects of exposure to a number of elements from a coal fly ash spill that occurred in December 2008 and has since been remediated on the stress and immune responses of nestling tree swallows. We found that nestlings at the site of the spill had significantly greater blood concentrations …