Evaluation of alternative PCB clean-up strategies using an individual-based population model of mink

Authored by Rachael Miller Neilan, Christopher J Salice, Kenneth A Rose, Bradley E Sample, Shaye Sable

Date Published: 2011

DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.08.033

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Population models can be used to place observed toxic effects into an assessment of the impacts on population-level endpoints, which are generally considered to provide greater ecological insight and relevance. We used an individual-based model of mink to evaluate the population-level effects of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the impact that different remediation strategies had on mink population endpoints (population size and extinction risk). Our simulations indicated that the initial population size had a strong impact on mink population dynamics. In addition, mink populations were extremely responsive to clean-up scenarios that were initiated soon after the contamination event In fact, the rate of PCB clean-up did not have as strong a positive effect on mink as did the initiation of clean-up (start time). We show that population-level approaches can be used to understand adverse effects of contamination and to also explore the potential benefits of various remediation strategies. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tags

exposure Consequences Risk-assessment Life-history Reproduction Polychlorinated-biphenyls Mustela-vison American mink Evolutionary processes Methylmercury