Contents of Various Elements in the Organs of Seabirds Killed by an Oil Spill around Tsushima Island, Japan

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Twenty nine oil-soaked birds were collected from around the Coast of Tsushima Island. The contents of eight elements in the livers and kidneys of the birds were investigated. Statistically higher concentrations of vanadium and thallium in the liver and of titanium in the kidney were found in the birds that were found dead compared with those that died after rescued. A significant correlation (r=0.695, P<0.01) was observed only for the molybdenum content between the kidneys and livers from the birds found dead. Although the controls of the eight elements of birds investigated in the present study remain unexplained, some of lower concentration in rescued birds can be blamed on a decrease in food intake of birds. The relation between oil contamination and concentration of elements need to be further explored. KEY WORDS: black-throated loons, heavy metal, oiled seabirds, Pacific loon, wild bird.

Oil spills at sea, their effects on birds and main treatments: a systematic review

“…According to the results obtained by the authors, there was a tendency towards higher mean concentrations of the elements present in the liver of individuals found dead in relation to those who died after being rescued, with significant differences being observed for the elements V and Tl (Mochizuki et al, 2013). For kidney samples, only the Ti element showed significantly higher concentration for individuals found dead (for details of the mean concentrations of the eight elements, see Mochizuki et al, 2013, tables I and II).…”

“…In a study published in the year 2013, researchers compared the concentrations of various elements present in the internal organs of birds found dead and individuals rescued from oil spill areas around Tsushima Island, Japan in 2006 (Mochizuki et al, 2013).…”

“…arctica Linnaeus, 1758; males = 2), seven Gaviidae not identified to species level due to excessive oil on the body (females = 2, males = 4, and unknown = 1), and one unknown species (male = 1) (Mochizuki et al, 2013).…”

“…Samples of kidney and liver were taken from the individuals, packed in ice and transported to the laboratory, where the analyses were performed. Eight elements present in the birds' organs were analyzed: cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), lithium (Li), titanium (Ti), thallium (Tl), and vanadium (V) (Mochizuki et al, 2013).…”

“…For kidney samples, only the Ti element showed significantly higher concentration for individuals found dead (for details of the mean concentrations of the eight elements, see Mochizuki et al, 2013, tables I and II). According to the authors, the concentration of elements found in individuals affected by the oil spill mainly reflect the environment in which the species live, in addition to where they feed (Mochizuki et al, 2013).…”