Distribution of 14 Elements in Tissues and Organs of Oceanic Seabirds

Abstract

The concentrations of 14 trace elements (Li, V, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Pb, and Hg) were determined in tissues and organs of three species and in the liver of 11 species of seabirds. Comparatively high concentrations of Li, Co, Sr, and V were found in the femur. Cd, Se, Cu, and Mn concentrations were relatively higher in the kidney than in other tissues and organs. Rb, Cs, and Pb concentrations were rather uniform among tissues. Concentrations of essential elements such as Mn, Cu, and Co were comparable among seabird species, except high Cu concentrations in northern giant petrel. Among nonessential elements, concentrations of Cd and Hg were variable according to seabird species. Pb levels were low in all the species. High Se levels (100 microg/g dry weight) were found in the liver of black-footed albatross and grey petrel. There were significant positive correlations between Se and Cd concentrations in three species and between Se and Hg in black-footed albatross, suggesting that Se has an antagonistic action on the toxic effects of Cd and Hg. Concentrations of Li, V, Ag, and Cs were usually low (less than 1 microg/g dry weight).

Trace Elements in Three Marine Birds Breeding on Reunion Island (Western Indian Ocean): Part 1—Factors Influencing Their Bioaccumulation

“…Only in the tropicbirds did juveniles have higher essential metal levels than adults. This same pattern has already been observed in various species (Kim et al 1998, Stewart et al 1999 in which the young accumulate essential elements to meet particularly high nutritional needs (Thompson et al 1996). This strategy may have evolved in order to survive the fast caused by the abandon of the fledglings by their parents several days before their first flight.…”

“…There are few data on the distribution of Mn among seabird tissues. It was found mainly in the liver and kidney of Procellariiformes studied by Kim et al (1998) and mainly in the liver of Reunion birds. Further studies are needed to determine the bioaccumulation pattern of Mn in seabird tissues.…”

“…Diet is considered as one of the most important factors of trace element variability since it is the major contamination path in marine vertebrates (Stewart et al 1999, Thompson et al 1998, Kim et al 1998. Of the three Reunion species, Barau's Petrel has, by far, the highest Hg content in the studied tissues.…”

“…This indicates that regulation mecanisms must exist in Reunion birds. Similar Se concentrations have been observed in other wild seabirds such as Leach's Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorrhoa, 78 µ.g −1 d.w.) from the Atlantic coast of Canada (Elliott et al 1992), the Black-footed Albatross (Diomedea nigripes, 113 µ.g −1 d.w.) from the Northern Pacific as well as birds from relatively pristine areas such as the Grey Petrel (Procellaria cinerea, 100 µ.g −1 d.w.) from the Southern Indian Ocean (Kim et al 1996a, Kim et al 1998). Table 2: Trace element levels (Mean±SD, µg.g −1 d.w.) in seabirds from different biogeographical areas: 1: Tropical ; 2: Subtropical ; 3: Temperate ; 4: Subpolar.…”

The system Tetrabothrius bassani (Tetrabothriidae)/Morus bassanus (Sulidae) as a bioindicator of marine heavy metal pollution

“…Even though a high concentration of Hg is expected in such predatory seabirds, our results seem to corroborate the earlier study on gannets with respect to the above-mentioned potential Hg pollution. In general the relative differences between the values presently reported and those from birds evaluated by Mendes et al (2008) may result from a different use of food resources, considering diet's confirmed role as a major contamination pathway in marine vertebrates (Kim et al 1998). …”