Becker, J.M. and C.A. McKinstry. “Response of Winter Birds to Soil Remediation Along the Columbia River at the Hanford Site.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 93.1-3 (2004): 277-286. (reviewed by Allyson Goldstein)
Summary:
The authors of this study evaluated the effects of soil remediation on winter birds at six inactive nuclear reactor areas along the Columbia River at the Hanford Site. As part of the clean-up effort of radioactive contamination at the Hanford Site, 1035 tons of contaminated soil had been removed from along the shoreline. The authors discovered that remediation activities had no apparent effect on numbers of riverine or terrestrial birds using adjactent undisturbed shoreline and riparian habitat.
Scientists conducted avian surveys along six different one km transects on a small bluff overlooking the river shore. They observed both areas that were affected and areas that were not affected by the remediation. They visually identified and counted birds within 100 meters on both sides of each transect. They then organized their data by foraging guild, or classifications of birds in order to avoid zero values associated with winter birds tendencies to congregate in flocks. The authors then ran statistical tests to determine what effect, if any, the remediation efforts had on the birds.
The study also contains an extensive list of all of the types of birds that the authors observed over the course of the study. These birds were mostly field foragers like Canada Geese and Mallard Ducks, but also included predators such as Bald Eagles, and fish eaters like the American White Pelican. Avian presence was higher at some site than others.
The authors also noted a decline in total avian numbers over the three-year course of the study. This decline cannot be attributed to remediation though because it occurred equally in both remediated and nonremediated areas, and most likely stems from climate and food resource changes.
Critique:
While most studies of the Hanford site focus on the effects the reactors and they waste had and continue to have on wildlife, this study it interesting because it examines the potential consequences that cleanup efforts might have on wildlife.
The many tables are useful in understanding the data analysis, and the article also includes a map of the location of the nine plutonium reactors along the Columbia's western shoreline. In addition, the article contains a laundry list of all of the birds found in the Hanford Reach that is useful for those who are interested in bird watching in the Hanford reach.
The article's main shortcoming is that it is not very through, and cites very few references. There is also a fairly large potential for human error in the observation of the birds. Researchers may not have seen all of the birds in a given area at any one time. Also, other factors may have led to the presence or absence of birds in certain locations besides remediation efforts. For instance, all observations were taken at the same time of day, and so it's possible that certain types of birds are less likely to be in the area at that time of day.
Robert D. Clark Honors College, University of Oregon
HC 441: Science Colloquium, Columbia River Ecology
Fall term, 2005
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