Effects of persistent organic pollutants on oxidative stress and thyroid hormone status in Glaucous gulls in Svalbard

Blood samples of glaucous gulls will be collected in Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund in order to investigate concentrations of legacy POPs and emerging contaminants with potential thyroid disruptive properties in glaucous gulls in Svalbard. Blood concentrations of the target contaminants and thyroid hormones will be studied in relation to blood protein concentrations. For some selected contaminants, their ability to bind to plasma transport proteins for thyroid hormones will be investigated. Furthermore, oxidative stress variables in the blood will be examined, and the responses will be related to blood contaminant concentrations and thyroid hormone concentrations. Samples will be collected in two separate two week - periods, one in the Longyearbyen area and one in the Ny Ålesund area. The blood will be collected from live birds using established methods. In the Longyearbyen area we will access the birds on foot, while we will use a boat to access the birds in the Ny Ålesund area. The samples will be analyzed in Tromsø.