Mercury correlations among six tissues for four waterbird species breeding in San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Despite a large body of research concerning mercury (Hg) in birds, no single tissue has been used consistently to assess Hg exposure, and this has hampered comparisons across studies. We evaluated the relationships of Hg concentrations among tissues in four species of waterbirds (American avocets [Recurvirostra americana], black-necked stilts [Himantopus mexicanus], Caspian terns [Hydroprogne caspia; formerly Sterna caspia], and Forster's terns [Sterna forsteri]) and across three life stages (prebreeding adults, breeding adults, and chicks) in San Francisco Bay, California, USA. Across species and life stages, Hg concentrations (least square mean +/- standard error) were highest in head feathers (6.45 +/- 0.31 microg/g dry wt) and breast feathers (5.76 +/- 0.28 microg/g dry wt), followed by kidney (4.54 +/- 0.22 microg/g dry wt), liver (4.43 +/- 0.21 microg/g dry wt), blood (3.10 +/- 0.15 microg/g dry wt), and muscle (1.67 +/- 0.08 microg/g dry wt). Relative Hg distribution among tissues, however, differed by species and life stage. Mercury concentrations were highly correlated among internal tissues (r2 > or = 0.89). Conversely, the relationships between Hg in feathers and internal tissues were substantially weaker (r2 < or = 0.42). Regression slopes sometimes differed among species and life stages, indicating that care must be used when predicting Hg concentrations in one tissue based on those in another. However, we found good agreement between predictions made using a general tissue-prediction equation and more specific equations developed for each species and life stage. Finally, our results suggest that blood is an excellent, nonlethal predictor of Hg concentrations in internal tissues but that feathers are relatively poor indicators of Hg concentrations in internal tissues.     

Modeling selenium bioaccumulation through arthropod food webs in San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Trophic transfer is the main process by which upper trophic level wildlife are exposed to selenium. Transfers through lower levels of a predator's food web thus can be instrumental in determining the threat of selenium in an ecosystem. Little is known about Se transfer through pelagic, zooplankton-based food webs in San Francisco Bay ([SFB], CA, USA), which serve as an energy source for important predators such as striped bass: A dynamic multipathway bioaccumulation model was used to model Se transfer from phytoplankton to pelagic copepods to carnivorous mysids (Neomysis mercedis). Uptake rates of dissolved Se, depuration rates, and assimilation efficiencies (AE) for the model were determined for copepods and mysids in the laboratory. Small (73-250 microm) and large (250-500 microm) herbivorous zooplankton collected from SFB (Oithona/Limnoithona and Acartia sp.) assimilated Se with similar efficiencies (41-52%) from phytoplankton. Mysids assimilated 73% of Se from small herbivorous zooplankton; Se AE was significantly lower (61%) than larger herbivorous zooplankton. Selenium depuration rates were high for both zooplankton and mysids (12-25% d(-1)), especially compared to bivalves (2-3% d(-1)). The model predicted steady state Se concentrations in mysids similar to those observed in the field. The predicted concentration range (1.5-5.4 microg g(-1)) was lower than concentrations of 4.5 to 24 microg g(-1) observed in bivalves from the bay. Differences in efflux between mysids and bivalves were the best explanation for the differences in uptake. The results suggest that the risk of selenium toxicity to predators feeding on N. mercedis would be less than the risk to predators feeding on bivalves. Management of selenium contamination should include food webs analyses to focus on the most important exposure pathways identified for a given watershed.     

Uptake of environmental contaminants by small mammals in pickleweed habitats at San Francisco Bay,California

Small mammals were live-trapped in pickleweed (Salicornia virginica) habitats near San Francisco Bay, California in order to measure the uptake of several contaminants and to evaluate the potential effects of these contaminants on the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris). Tissues of house mice (Mus musculus), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and California voles (Microtus californicus) from nine sites were analyzed for chemical contaminants including mercury, selenium, cadmium, lead, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concentrations of contaminants differed significantly among sites and species. Mean concentrations at sites where uptake was greatest were less than maximum means for the same or similar species recorded elsewhere. Harvest mice (Reithrodontomys spp.) were captured only at sites where concentrations of mercury or PCBs were below specific levels in house mice. Additional studies aimed at the protection of the salt marsh harvest mouse are suggested. These include contaminant feeding studies in the laboratory as well as field monitoring of surrogate species and community structure in salt marsh harvest mouse habitats.     

Assessment of macrobenthos response to sediment contamination in the San Francisco Estuary, California, USA

A multimetric benthic assessment method was developed for two benthic assemblages in the San Francisco Estuary (USA) using data from several monitoring programs collected over five years. Assessment indicators used were total number of taxa, total abundances, oligochaete abundances, number of molluscan taxa, number of amphipod taxa, and Capitella capitata and Streblospio benedicti abundances. Exceedances of the maximum or minimum indicator values in reference samples were used to assess test samples using a weight-of-evidence to obtain an assessment value. Only 2.5% of the samples from the deeper, offshore sites had benthic impacts, 14.3% of the samples from near wastewater discharges had impacts, and 78.3% of the samples from the estuary margins and channels were impacted. Impacted samples from both assemblages had significantly higher mean effects range-median quotient values (mERMq) than reference samples, total organic carbon (TOC) was significantly higher in the impacted samples from the mesohaline assemblage, and percent fines was significantly higher in the impacted samples from the polyhaline assemblage, reflecting the close associations of contaminants with fine sediments and organic material. In samples with mERMq below 0.050, there were no benthic impacts. The incidence of impacts remained low (9.4%) at mERMq below 0.146, but when mERMq was above 0.146, 68.2% of the samples had benthic impacts, and samples with mERMq above 0.740 were always impacted.     

An evaluation of the success of dredging as remediation at a DDT-contaminated site in San Francisco Bay,California, USA

Lauritzen Canal, a portion of San Francisco Bay near Richmond, California, USA, was heavily contaminated with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and dieldrin as a result of releases from a pesticide-formulating firm. In 1996 and 1997, 82,000 m3 of contaminated sediment was removed from the canal by dredging. This study evaluated the success of the dredging based largely on body burdens of DDT and its metabolites (sigmaDDT) in resident biota, with some data on sediment- and water-contaminant levels and sediment toxicity testing. Sediment disturbance during dredging introduced a pulse of sigmaDDT into the Lauritzen Canal ecosystem, and body burdens of fish and invertebrates increased 2- to 76-fold, depending on the species. Approximately 1 1/2 years after remediation, 11 of 14 indicators showed contamination comparable with or worse than the contamination that existed prior to dredging. Monitoring of mussels up to four years postdredging suggests some modest improvement, although the sigmaDDT body burden of canal mussels remained far above the norm for San Francisco Bay. The elevated sigmaDDT body burdens in biota that persisted for years after remediation reflect recent exposure and are not merely a result of slow metabolic elimination of the sigmaDDT pulse associated with dredging. Sediment sigmaDDT concentrations were low immediately after dredging, but within months, the canal bottom became covered with a veneer of fine sediment as contaminated as that that had been removed. The source of this material has not been conclusively established, but we suspect it came from slumping and erosion from the flanks of the canal beneath docks and around pilings where dredging was not done. In retrospect, either capping in place or more thorough dredging may have been more successful in reducing pesticide exposure of the biota, although there were difficulties associated with both alternatives.     

Tuberculosis-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths after COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place,San Francisco,California, USA

A mandated shelter-in-place and other restrictions associated with the coronavirus disease pandemic precipitated a decline in tuberculosis diagnoses in San Francisco, California, USA. Several months into the pandemic, severe illness resulting in hospitalization or death increased compared with prepandemic levels, warranting heightened vigilance for tuberculosis in at-risk populations.     

A review of total dissolved copper and its chemical speciation in San Francisco Bay, California

Following basin-wide contamination from industrial emissions and urban development, total dissolved copper concentrations in some regions of San Francisco Bay have exceeded national and state guidelines for water quality. In the face of dramatic improvements in wastewater treatment and point source control, persisting elevated dissolved copper concentrations in the Bay have prompted multiple studies and extensive monitoring of this estuary since 1989. Statistical analyses of monitoring data show that total dissolved copper concentrations have declined in the North (by 17%) and South (29%) San Francisco Bay as well as in the Southern Sloughs (44%) from 1993 to 2001. Concentrations remain elevated in the farthest reaches of the Bay (Delta and Estuary Interface), and in the Central Bay. Dissolved copper concentrations throughout the Bay have also been positively correlated (r = 0.632, P < 0.0005, n = 598) with dissolved organic matter, supporting results from complimentary chemical speciation studies which indicate that high-affinity copper-binding organic ligands dominate the chemical speciation of dissolved copper in the Bay. These organic ligands typically bind > 99.9% of the dissolved copper, effectively buffering the system against small changes in dissolved copper concentrations, and maintaining free Cu(2+) concentrations well below the toxicity threshold of ambient aquatic microorganisms. In response to these findings, site-specific water quality criteria for dissolved copper concentrations are now being developed by the Regional Water Quality Board to provide a more appropriate standard for copper toxicity in the Bay-one based on its chemical speciation and bioavailability.     

Embryotoxicity, teratogenicity, and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in Forster's terns on Green Bay, Lake Michigan

Known reproductive problems, including congenital malformations and poor hatching success, exist for the state endangered Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri) in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Twenty Forster's tern eggs were collected from separate nests at a natural colony with documented reproductive problems, situated at Green Bay, Lake Michigan, and an inland colony at Lake Poygan (control) where reproduction was documented as normal. Eggs from the two locations were placed in the same laboratory incubator and candled throughout incubation. Hatching success of Green Bay eggs was 52% of that for controls. Several early embryonic deaths occurred, but most mortality occurred close to the time of hatching. Liver microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was elevated approximately threefold in Green Bay hatchlings compared to controls. Green Bay terns that hatched weighed less than controls, had an increased liver to body weight ratio, and had a shorter femur length. Two Green Bay embryos that failed to hatch had anomalies, one with a crossed beak and one with poor ossification of the foot. One Green Bay hatchling had an abnormally ossified ilium. These effects were observed in eggs where there were measureable levels of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inducers including polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins.     

Environmental contaminant effects on juvenile striped bass in the San Francisco Estuary, California, USA

The decline of pelagic organisms in the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) (California, USA) is attributed to several factors, including water diversions, invasive species, and exposure to environmental toxicants. The present study evaluated the effects of environmental contaminants on liver vitellogenin, metallothionein, 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), and benzyloxyresorufin O-deethylase (BROD) activity in juvenile striped bass (Morone saxitilis) in the SFE. Analysis of juvenile striped bass liver extracts revealed site-specific elevations of vitellogenin, metallothionein, and EROD biomarkers across the estuary. Although some striped bass in the estuary showed EROD activity similar to unhandled hatchery controls, several sites in the estuary showed significantly higher EROD activity that was in the range of beta-naphthoflavone (BNF)-injected, positive controls. Overall, EROD activity averaged 283% higher in estuary fish than in hatchery controls. Chemical analyses of extracts from semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) deployed in the estuary for one month showed elevated polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels. Semipermeable membrane devices extract injections-induced metallothionein and BROD in striped bass livers. These data show that environmental exposures are impacting EROD and other biomarkers in the SFE striped bass population. Previous studies in our laboratory have associated poor larval development with maternal transfer of environmental contaminants. Further studies are needed to monitor contaminant exposures by the use of biomarkers and to integrate them into a more effective pelagic species recovery plan in the SFE.     

The long-term fate of polychlorinated biphenyls in San Francisco Bay (USA)

A simple one-box mass budget model is presented as a first step toward a quantitative understanding of the long-term fate of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in San Francisco Bay (USA). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the most influential input parameters were degradation half-life in sediment, Kow, outflow, average PCB concentration in sediment, and depth of the active sediment layer. Moderately influential parameters included organic carbon content of suspended solids, sediment burial mass transfer coefficient, and Henry's law constant. If external loading could be eliminated entirely, the mass of PCBs in the bay is predicted to drop to half of the present value in 20 years. The model predicts that sustained loading of 10 kg year(-1) would prevent the total PCB mass in the bay from ever dropping below 10% of the present mass. With a sustained loading of 20 kg year(-1), the model predicts that the total PCB mass would never fall below about 25% of the present mass. The half-lives in the bay for the individual PCB congeners evaluated in this report ranged from four years for PCB 18 to 30 years for PCB 194.     

Bartonella quintana in Body Lice and Head Lice from Homeless Persons, San Francisco, California, USA

Bartonella quintana is a bacterium that causes trench fever in humans. Past reports have shown Bartonella spp. infections in homeless populations in San Francisco, California, USA. The California Department of Public Health in collaboration with San Francisco Project Homeless Connect initiated a program in 2007 to collect lice from the homeless to test for B. quintana and to educate the homeless and their caregivers on prevention and control of louse-borne disease. During 2007–2008, 33.3% of body lice–infested persons and 25% of head lice–infested persons had lice pools infected with B. quintana strain Fuller. Further work is needed to examine how homeless persons acquire lice and determine the risk for illness to persons infested with B. quintana–infected lice.     

Risk Factors for Human Lice and Bartonellosis among the Homeless,San Francisco,California, USA

Homeless persons in San Francisco, California, USA, have been shown to have head and body lice infestations and Bartonella quintana infections. We surveyed a self-selected population of homeless persons in San Francisco to assess infestations of head and body lice, risks of having body lice, and presence of B. quintana in lice. A total of 203 persons who reported itching were surveyed during 2008–2010 and 2012: 60 (30%) had body lice, 10 (4.9%) had head lice, and 6 (3.0%) had both. B. quintana was detected in 10 (15.9%) of 63 body lice pools and in 6 (37.5%) of 16 head lice pools. Variables significantly associated (p<0.05) with having body lice in this homeless population included male sex, African–American ethnicity, and sleeping outdoors. Our study findings suggest that specific segments of the homeless population would benefit from information on preventing body lice infestations and louseborne diseases.     

Activated carbon amendment as a treatment for residual DDT in sediment from a superfund site in San Francisco Bay, Richmond, California, USA

Pesticide formulators formerly operating at Lauritzen Channel, a portion of San Francisco Bay near Richmond (CA, USA), caused contamination of sediment with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). The present study evaluated the distribution of residual DDT in channel sediment six years following extensive remedial dredging. High DDT concentrations (up to 252 mg/ kg) were found in Young Bay Mud sampled across the channel. Particle analyses showed most of the contamination is contained in the clay/silt sediment fraction, and desorption tests showed that availability is greater for DDT metabolites than parent DDT. The present study examined the feasibility of using activated carbon amendment to sequester DDT from sediment, including an evaluation of reactivated carbon as a less costly alternative to virgin activated carbons. Treatment success of activated carbon amendment to sediment collected from Lauritzen Channel was measured by reductions in aqueous equilibrium concentrations and uptake in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). Four different activated carbons were tested and, after one month of treatment with 3.2 weight % carbon, DDT aqueous equilibrium concentrations were reduced up to 83% and SPMD uptake was reduced up to 91%. Reactivated carbon was comparable with virgin carbons in all tests. Reduction in SPMD uptake of DDT by treatment with 3.2% reactivated carbon increased to 99% after 26 months of treatment. The effectiveness of activated carbon was dependent on the type, size, dose, and contact time. The results show the potential usefulness of activated carbon amendment as a follow-up remedial technology for management of residuals after dredging contaminated sediment.     

Reproductive outcomes in relation to malathion spraying in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1981-1982.

We studied reproductive outcomes in a cohort of 7,450 pregnancies identified through three Kaiser-Permanente facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area, in relation to exposure to the pesticide malathion, applied aerially to control an infestation by the Mediterranean fruit fly. We included in the cohort all women over age 17 who were registered at these facilities and who were confirmed as pregnant during the spraying period. Residence histories throughout the pregnancy were obtained by mailed questionnaire or telephone interview from 933 women with adverse outcomes and a sample of 1,000 women with normal outcomes, and were converted to geographical coordinates. We linked the coordinates for malathion spraying corridors with the residence coordinates to create individual exposure indices for each week of pregnancy. The statistical analysis compared each of the adverse pregnancy outcome groups against an appropriate control group using logistic regression or survival time regression approaches. After adjustment for various confounders, no important association was found between malathion exposure and spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth retardation, stillbirth, or most categories of congenital anomalies. Gastrointestinal anomalies were related to second trimester exposure (odds ratio = 2.6), based on 13 cases and not specific to any particular International Classification of Diseases code.     

Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans in Storm Water Outfalls Adjacent to Urban Areas and Petroleum Refineries in San Francisco Bay, California

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were analyzed in storm water collected from 15 outfalls in San Francisco Bay, California, considered representative of areas located adjacent to petroleum refineries and mixed urban/commercial/residential land uses. Storm water sampling was conducted hourly over a 12-h period at two outfalls located near the city of Oakland and the suburban community of Benicia, which represent urban and mixed urban/light industrial land uses, respectively. Sampling was conducted hourly to determine temporal changes in the concentrations and distributions of PCDD/Fs during the first major rainstorm event of the 1995/96 winter season. In addition, storm water sampling was conducted in December 1995 and February/April 1996 at six publicly owned treatment work (POTW) outfalls located adjacent to developed, undeveloped, mixed residential/commercial, and industrial lands. Storm water sampling also was conducted at five outfalls located adjacent to petroleum refineries. The sampling results were used to examine changes in PCDD/F loadings to San Francisco Bay at the onset and midway through the winter rainy season and to characterize differences in PCDD/F concentrations, if any, between refinery and nonrefinery areas. The concentrations of tetra- through octa-chlorinated homologues and 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners were assayed in filtered storm water samples according to US EPA Method 1613A. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used as an exploratory technique to examine the similarities and differences in the distributions of PCDD/Fs in storm water from different outfalls. The sampling results showed few significant differences between storm water discharged from outfalls located in mixed urban/commercial/residential areas and outfalls located adjacent to petroleum refineries. The concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD were below the analytical limits of detection in all storm water samples, with the exception of samples collected after the sixth hour of sampling at the Oakland outfall. Fingerprint patterns were generally dominated by the higher chlorinated PCDD/F congeners including OCDD, OCDF, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD. Total TEQs were generally below US EPA ambient water quality criteria and aquatic ecotoxicology guideline values. The results of this study strongly suggest that discrete sampling of storm water outfalls is insufficient to characterize the concentrations and distributions of persistent hydrophobic contaminants such as PCDD/Fs. In addition to surface water runoff from the city of Oakland, other nonindustrialized urban locations may represent important sources of PCDD/Fs to San Francisco Bay. Received: 15 July 1998/Accepted: 19 April 1999     

Non-B variants of HIV-1 in San Francisco,California

The HIV-1 epidemic in the US has historically been dominated by subtype B. HIV subtype diversity has not been extensively examined in most US cities to determine whether non-B variants have become established, as has been observed in many other global regions. We describe the diversity of non-B variants and present evidence of local transmission of non-B HIV in San Francisco. Viral sequences collected from patients between 2000 and 2016 were matched to the San Francisco HIV/AIDS case registry. HIV subtype was determined using COMET. Phylogenies were reconstructed using the pol region of subtypes A, C, D, G, CRF01_AE, CRF02_AG, and CRF07_BC, with reference sequences from the LANL HIV database. Associations of non-B subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) with patient characteristics were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Out of 11,381 sequences, 10,669 were from 7235 registry cases, of which 141 (2%) had non-B subtypes and CRFs and 72 (1%) had unique recombinant forms. CRF01_AE (0.8%) and subtype C (0.5%) were the most prevalent non-B forms. The frequency of non-B subtypes and CRFs increased in San Francisco during years 2000–2016. Out of 146 transmission events involving non-B study sequences, 18% indicated local transmission within the study population and 74% appeared to be inward migration of the virus. Compared to 7016 cases with only subtype B, 141 cases with non-B sequences were more likely to be of non-US country of birth (aOR = 11.02; p < 0.001), of Asian/Pacific-Islander race/ethnicity (aOR = 3.17; p < 0.001), and diagnosed after 2009 (aOR = 4.81; p < 0.001). Results suggest that most non-B infections were likely acquired outside the US and that local transmission of non-B forms has occurred but so far has not produced extensive transmission networks. Thus, non-B variants were not widely established in San Francisco, an observation that differs from cities worldwide with more diverse epidemics.