Comparative Tissue Distribution of Metals in Birds in Sweden Using ICP-MS and Laser Ablation ICP-MS

Ek, Kristine; Morrison, Gregory M.; Lindberg, Peter; Rauch, Sébastien

doi:10.1007/s00244-004-3138-6

Cited by 73 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…High concentrations of Cu were observed in feathers, which may be attributed to the participation of this element in the keratinization process. However, concentrations were even higher in the liver, which is corroborated by the results obtained in study carried out in Sweden [10], who demonstrated that Cu is heavily accumulated in the liver and kidneys.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…The deposition of compounds in external parts of the feathers can occur through chemical products, the air, or the uropygial gland of birds [15]. According to research, 50% to 98% of the concentrations of Pb detected in organisms can originate from external contamination, although it may also occur due to contaminated feed [10]. It should be considered that the origin of the birds in this study contributes significantly to the results obtained for some metals since the airport region, as well as the surrounding area, is rich in fossil fuels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heavy Metal Concentrations in Free-Living Southern Caracaras (Caracara plancus) in the Northeast Region of Brazil

Silva

Filho

Kunst

et al. 2017

Acta Scientiae. Vet.

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Background: With the continuously increasing release of heavy metals in the environment, mostly from anthropogenic sources, there is a need to find ways of evaluating and managing the issuance of these contaminants and correct its damages. The birds being at the top of some food chains reflect the presence of metals in the environment, keeping this in perspective, raptors have been successfully used for heavy metals biomonitoring studies in the past. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr) in the feathers and livers of free-living southern caracaras, live and dead, from Recife, Pernambuco state, Northeast of Brazil. Material, Methods & Results: Sixty-two feathers from live and dead southern caracaras and 21 livers from dead southern caracaras were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry for Hg and by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry for Cd, Cr, Pb, and Cu. Concentrations of Cr and Cu elements were detected in all feather and liver samples analyzed from live and dead caracaras. There was no difference in the concentration of metals between feathers of dead and live caracaras: Pb (P = 0.3576), Cd (P = 0.0792), Cr (P = 0.5475), and Cu (P = 0.3603), but significant variation was observed for Hg (P = 0.0459). The highest concentrations of Pb (P < 0.0001) and Cr (P < 0.0001) were found in the feathers than in the liver. On the other hand, the highest concentrations of Cu were found in liver samples (P = 0.0011). No significant variation in the concentrations of Cd (P = 0.7770) and Hg (P = 0.3669) was found between feathers and liver samples. Discussion: Chromium, as well as Hg, and Cu have a high affinity for keratin, which may explain the higher concentrations of Cr in caracaras feathers in this research. Lead was detected in all liver samples analyzed. Elevated levels were also found in the feathers of dead (95.2%) and live (75.6%) caracaras. The presence of Pb may be due to external contamination by pollutants, such as fossil fuels. Higher concentrations of Hg were observed in dead caracaras feathers, this concentrations change during molting but are not affected by external contamination. Metals, such as Hg, and Cd, accumulate in organisms from different trophic levels, which may indicate that this contamination comes mainly from feed. Pearson's coefficient here showed no correlation between metals from dead caracaras feathers and livers, although a few previous studies have shown a correlation between metal concentrations from tissues and feathers. This pattern can be attributed to the different time of exposure of feathers to metals in relation to livers. The concentrations of metals in hepatic tissues reflect the levels of elements in the diet of these birds, characterizing acutely the contamination of the ecosystem. On the other hand, feathers represent the exposure in the time of molting, when the artery supplies metals, thus representing a chronic exposure. In feathers from live birds, the ...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Free-Living Southern Caracaras (Caracara plancus) in the Northeast Region of Brazil

Silva

Filho

Kunst

et al. 2017

Acta Scientiae. Vet.

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“…These results can serve as a baseline for comparison with future studies of contaminant exposure in Bald Eagles across Iowa as well in other locations. The contaminant levels we observed in excrement samples collected from Bald Eagles were within the range of concentrations reported in other avian species (Ek et al 2004, Morrissey et al 2005, Tiller et al 2005, Berglund et al 2010, Costa et al 2013, Martinez-Haro et al 2013). The majority of these studies, it should be noted, focused on passerines and waterfowl.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Environmental contaminants in excrement of Iowa's nesting and wintering Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Reiter-Marolf¹,

Dinsmore²,

Blanchong³

2017

The Wilson Journal of Ornithology

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Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were rare only a few decades ago but have undergone a spectacular recovery range-wide. While their numbers have increased, there is concern about exposure of Bald Eagles to environmental contaminants. We collected excrement from nesting and wintering Bald Eagles in Iowa to examine their exposure to several contaminants and tested for differences as a function of space, time, and breeding status. We detected aluminum, copper, manganese, and zinc at levels above the quantitation limit (QL) in most excrement samples. These elements are all essential micronutrients normally found in living organisms. Arsenic and selenium are essential micronutrients for which fewer samples had levels above the QL. We also detected non-essential elements barium, cadmium, lead, and mercury in excrement samples, although only one sample had a cadmium level above the QL and only 26% of samples had lead levels above the QL. Geometric mean contaminant levels in excrement samples collected from nesting eagles during the spring were higher than for samples collected in the winter for aluminum, barium, copper, manganese, and zinc. The only difference we detected in contaminant levels in excrement samples was in manganese (higher for nest sites along the Mississippi River) and selenium (lower for nest sites along the Mississippi River) versus nest sites not associated with the Mississippi River. We also found that non-breeding eagles had higher levels of barium and manganese than nesting eagles. Our results can serve as a baseline for comparison with future studies investigating exposure of Bald Eagles to environmental contaminants. ABSTRACT.-Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were rare only a few decades ago but have undergone a spectacular recovery range-wide. While their numbers have increased, there is concern about exposure of Bald Eagles to environmental contaminants. We collected excrement from nesting and wintering Bald Eagles in Iowa to examine their exposure to several contaminants and tested for differences as a function of space, time, and breeding status. We detected aluminum, copper, manganese, and zinc at levels above the quantitation limit (QL) in most excrement samples. These elements are all essential micronutrients normally found in living organisms. Arsenic and selenium are essential micronutrients for which fewer samples had levels above the QL. We also detected non-essential elements barium, cadmium, lead, and mercury in excrement samples, although only one sample had a cadmium level above the QL and only 26% of samples had lead levels above the QL. Geometric mean contaminant levels in excrement samples collected from nesting eagles during the spring were higher than for samples collected in the winter for aluminum, barium, copper, manganese, and zinc. The only difference we detected in contaminant levels in excrement samples was in manganese (higher for nest sites along the Mississippi River) and selenium (lower for nest sites along the Mississippi River) versus nest s...

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“…In our study, the median Cd concentrations were about 0.15 µg/g. Nickel content in birds can reach 5 µg/g (Eisler 1981). In our study, the median value for Ni in feather was about 2 µg/g -2.5 µg/g (Figure 1).…”

Section: Elemental Characterization Of Feather Samples By Bulk Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In our study, the median value for Ni in feather was about 2 µg/g -2.5 µg/g (Figure 1). Nickel concentrations in avian tissues in excess of 10 µg/g dry weight (DW) kidney or 3 µg/g DW liver are sometimes associated with adverse effects (Eisler 1981). Excess Ni is reported to affect feather molting (Malik and Zeb 2009).…”

Section: Elemental Characterization Of Feather Samples By Bulk Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental composition in feathers of a migratory passerine for differentiation of sex, age, and molting areas

Óvári

Laczi

Török

et al. 2016

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to thank Tamás Weiszburg for the SEM/BSE measurements performed at the Department of Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Eötvös Loránd University.The assistance of Tamás Szigeti, MSc and Gergely Tarsoly, MSc provided in the microwaveassisted digestion of feathers is also appreciated. Keywords: breeding, elemental distribution, habitat, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, laser ablation, migratory birds, rare earth elements.3 HighlightsAmong the 38 elements investigated, toxic elements (i.e. Ni, Cd, Hg and Pb) occurred in more than the 55% of the tail feather of the collared flycatchers at the µg/g level.Differentiation between sex, age and molting areas of the collared flycatcher was possible by determination of feather elemental composition.Time-resolved distribution of major elements along the rachis of feathers by laser ablation ICP-SF-MS and normalization of the intensities to 13 C/ 34 S signals.4

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Comparative Tissue Distribution of Metals in Birds in Sweden Using ICP-MS and Laser Ablation ICP-MS

Cited by 73 publications

References 41 publications

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Free-Living Southern Caracaras (Caracara plancus) in the Northeast Region of Brazil

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Free-Living Southern Caracaras (Caracara plancus) in the Northeast Region of Brazil

Environmental contaminants in excrement of Iowa's nesting and wintering Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Elemental composition in feathers of a migratory passerine for differentiation of sex, age, and molting areas

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