Passerine species have been increasingly used as bioindicators of metal bioaccumulation especially by taking benefit of non-invasive procedures, such as collecting feathers and excrements. In 2009, metal (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) concentrations were determined in feathers and excrements of nestling and adult female great tits (Parus major) in industrial (a paper mill) and rural sites in maritime pine forests on the west coast of Portugal. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of metals between the areas but also between sampling methods (feather vs. excrement) and age classes (nestling vs. adult). Although excrements and feathers of nestling great tits showed different concentrations, similar patterns of accumulation were detected in both study areas. There was a significantly higher concentration of mercury in the industrial area and significantly higher concentrations of arsenic in the rural area in both sample types. Metal levels in adult females had quite different results when compared to nestlings, and only nickel presented significantly higher levels near the paper mill. Since metal levels showed a consistent pattern in feathers and excrements of nestling great tits, we conclude that both represent good and non-invasive methods for the evaluation of these elements in polluted areas.
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This long-term study (2003-2010) compared the breeding parameters of great tits living in a paper-and-pulp-industry area to those of great tits living in a rural area on the west coast of Portugal. We also measured the abundance of caterpillar biomass, an important food source and determinant of breeding success for tits. In 2009, we further analysed trace metal [arsenic (As), calcium (Ca), cadmium, copper, mercury (Hg), nickel, lead, selenium, and zinc] as well as Ca concentrations in excrement of 15-day-old great tit nestlings. Generally, for most trace metals, fecal concentrations were similar at both sites. Nonetheless, greater Hg levels and lower As levels were detected in the industrial area. Great tits laid more eggs and produced more fledglings in the industrial area than in the rural area. Caterpillar biomass was also greater in the industrial area, which likely explains the better breeding success. Our results suggest that there are no direct effects of emissions on the studied species.
In 2003, two sampling strategies were applied in order to evaluate metal contamination in passerine bird feathers. One strategy included the use of nest boxes and nestling great tits in a forest habitat (MU). The other strategy focused on the use of mist nets to capture adult blackbirds, robins and blackcaps in a fragmented non-forested habitat (EST). There was a significantly higher concentration of mercury in great tits (1.09 ± 0.40) sampled in MU and also in robins (3.44 ± 0.91) and blackcaps (1.62 ± 1.99) sampled in EST, in comparison to the reference site (0.66 ± 0.68; 2.04 ± 1.12; 0.32 ± 0.43; respectively). Concerning interspecific differences, robins accumulated significantly more metals than blackbirds or blackcaps.
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