Efecto de la edad y la localidad en la concentración de cadmio y cobre en el hígado de la gaviota dominicana Larus dominicanus

Abstract

Efecto de la edad y la localidad en la concentración de cadmio y cobre en el hígado de la gaviota dominicana Larus dominicanus Abstract.-We analyzed Cu and Cd liver concentration in adults and fledglings of Kelp gull from an urban (Coquimbo city) and a wild (Pájaros Islet) colony. Cu concentration was 15.57 ± 0.079 μg g -1 dry weight for adults and fledglings of both colonies. Adults Cd concentration from both colonies was 9.72 ± 0.110 μg g -1 dw, being 194% of the level considered toxic but in the range for seabirds. In the urban fledglings Cd was below the detection level. Wild fledgling showed higher concentration of 1.54 ± 0.064 μg g -1 dw which probably reflects a biomagnification process, because parents kleptoparasite and consume eggs and chicks of other seabirds.

Intraspecific variation of trace elements in the kelp gull (Larus dominicanus): influence of age, sex and location

“…Thus, the presence of this metal in the liver of birds may indicate long-term exposure ( Jakimska et al., 2011 ). In concordance with the results of reported by Cortés and Luna-Jorquera (2011) for livers of Larus dominicanus in Chile, results of the present work indicate higher concentrations of Cd in adult individuals when compared with juvenile individuals. This difference can be associated with the chronic exposure to Cd.…”

“…Significant differences were observed for the concentrations of Cu in juvenile and adult individuals found on the coast of Santa Catarina state. These results were similar with those obtained by Cortés and Luna-Jorquera (2011) , suggesting that juvenile individuals metabolize higher concentrations of Cu, possibly destined to the growth and pigmentation of the feathers. Just a few studies report the accumulation of Cr in seabirds.…”

“…(1992) in individuals sampled in New Zealand were in lower ranges than the values found in individuals collected in South America ( Table 3 ). The concentrations of trace elements found in livers of dead Larus dominicanus on the coast of Santa Catarina state were in similar ranges than those found in other regions of Brazil and in other countries ( Table 3 ) ( Moura et al., 2018 ; Vermeer and Castilla 1991 ; Numata et al., 2008 ; Cortés and Luna-Jorquera 2011 ; Lock et al., 1992 ). This indicates that specimen of Larus dominicanus from Santa Catarina state are not exposed to explicitly higher contamination risks than specimens from the other investigated regions of the world.…”

“…(2018) showed higher ranges than in the present work. Cortés and Luna-Jorquera 2011 reported higher mean concentrations of Cd (9.7 ± 0.1 mg kg -1 d.w.) of specimens sampled in Chile than of specimens in the present study. In contrast, the mean concentrations of Cu (15.6 ± 0.08 mg kg -1 d.w.) were in similar ranges than Cu concentrations reported in the present work.…”

“…Additionally, the low body weight observed in individuals where contaminant concentration was higher was consistent with the oxidative stress response, indicating the high energetic demand of detoxifying processes. Cortés and Luna-Jorquera 2011 compared the Cd and Cu concentrations in the livers of adult and juvenile individuals collected from a coastal area of Chile. The significant differences in Cd concentrations between juveniles and adults suggested that Cd is bioaccumulated by the birds, while Cu is effectively regulated.…”