Developing a Bioindicator in the Northwestern Persian Gulf, Iran: Trace Elements in Bird Eggs and in Coastal Sediments

Abstract

Levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and vanadium (V) were evaluated in coastal sediments, egg contents, and eggshells of crab plover (Dromas ardeola), bridled tern (Sterna anaethetus), lesser crested tern (S. bengalensis), and western reef heron (Egretta gularis) breeding in the northwestern Persian Gulf. Levels of Cd, Pb, Ni, V, and Se were greater in eggs of terns than in eggs of crab plover, perhaps due to the higher trophic level of terns. Levels of all elements were lower than known effects levels for birds. However, levels of Se in eggs were greater than those known to cause toxic effects in birds. Eggs of terns are ideal for monitoring metal contaminants on the breeding grounds because the bioaccumulation ratios (egg/sediment) of some metals (As, Co, Se) in the eggs of terns are significantly greater compared with those of crab plovers.

Concentração De Metais Em Sedimentos Da Lagoa Do Parque Metropolitano De Pituaçu, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

“…Pesquisas na Lagoa Paranoá, também reportaram valores similares para o V, encontrando concentrações de 54,3 a 238,9 mg Kg --1 (MAIA; BOAVENTURA; PIRES, 2006) e de 162,23 mg Kg --1 (FRANZ et al, 2014). Pesquisa de Khademi et al (2015), em sedimentos do esturário Musa (Golfo Pérsia), reportou valores muito abaixo dos reportados nesta pesquisa (concentração média de 11,14 mg kg --1 , peso seco). Atualmente, o vanádio tem despertado interesse como foco de diversas pesquisas ambientais (DOBROWOLSKI; ADAMCZYK; OTTO, 2013).…”

Determination of mercury and vanadium concentration in Johnius belangerii (C) fish in Musa estuary in Persian Gulf

“…The concentration of vanadium in natural waters is very low, usually ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 lg/L (ATSDR, 2012). The vanadium concentrations reported in sediments from the Musa estuary vary between 8125 and 14,129 ng/g (dry weight) with an average concentration of 11,141 ± 625 ng/g (dry weight) (Khademi et al, 2014). Vanadium porphyrin is found in the petroleum and bitumen extracted from shales (Colina et al, 2005), and it can be considered as an indicator of marine oil pollution .…”

Lead (Pb) in the tissues of Anatidae, Ardeidae, Sternidae and Laridae of the Northern Hemisphere: a review of environmental studies

“…According to a recent study of the agricultural regions surrounding the city of Mailsi and along the Jhang-Faisalabad Road in Pakistan, the concentrations of lead in eggshells of the cattle egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) were 1.34 ± 1.25 μg/g dw and 1.44 ± 1.13 μg/g dw, respectively (Hashmi et al 2013 ). In the Northwestern Persian Gulf (Iran), the level of lead contamination is lower, as demonstrated by a lower concentration of this heavy metal in eggshells and eggs of the western reef heron ( Egretta gularis )—0.172 ± 0.090 μg/g dw and 0.191 ± 0.094 μg/g dw, respectively (Khademi et al 2015 ). In the Göksu Delta (Turkey), the concentration of lead in the eggs of the little egret ( Egretta garzetta ) in a study from the early 1990s was 0.341 μg/g dw (Ayas and Kolankaya 1996 ).…”

“…In Rishiri Island (Japan), the concentrations of lead in the egg contents and eggshells of the black-tailed gull ( Larus crassirostris ) were 0.023 ± 0.015 μg/g dw and 0.061 ± 0.042 μg/g dw, respectively (Agusa et al 2005 ). In the northwestern Persian Gulf in Iran, in bridled tern ( Onychoprion anaethetus ) egg contents and eggshells, lead concentrations were 0.286 ± 0.064 μg/g dw and 0.260 ± 0.049 μg/g dw (Khademi et al 2015 ), respectively. This shows that Iran’s regions, despite a significant oil industry, have a lesser degree of pollution compared to China or Korea.…”