Mercury, cadmium, zinc and copper concentrations were analysed in the liver and ludney tissues of 14 species of albatross and petrel. These birds were obtained as by-catch of the long-line tuna fishing industry in New Zealand waters, and provided a unique opportunity to compare heavy metal accumulation in a group of closely related species. Mercury levels in the liver of the wandering and royal albatrosses were among the highest recorded for free-living birds. In multiple regression analyses, much of the inter-specific variation in cadmium and mercury levels was related to the importance of Crustacea in the diet, to phylogeny, or to the duration of the moult cycle. Species in which crustacea constituted >33% of the diet had significantly lower cadmium concentrations in liver tissues, and mercury concentrations in both liver and kidney tissues, than those in which birds consumed mainly or entirely squid and fish. Thls accords reasonably well with information on relative mercury and cadmium content of prey species. After accounting for dietary variation, Procellariidae (petrels, shearwaters and prions) and Hydrobatidae (storm petrels) still exhibited higher cadrmum concentrations in the liver than Diomedeidae (albatrosses). In addition, albatrosses which took more than a year to moult accumulated higher mercury concentrations in their livers, probably because of a restricted ability to excrete mercury into growing feathers.

Purpose To gather background information about applicants to the dental undergraduate course, and ascertain the factors involved in their decision to study dentistry. Method Applicants attending for interview at Dundee and Manchester Dental Schools completed anonymous questionnaires. The useable response rate was 94% (n = 436). Results There were equal numbers of male and female applicants to the two schools as a whole. Although there was a much broader ethnic mix in the applicants to Manchester, the overall proportion of minority ethnic groups was considerably greater than in the UK population as a whole. Seventy-five per cent came from professional backgrounds, although marked differences were apparent between ethnic groups. A quarter had family relations who were dentists, and 30% were related to doctors. Over half (53%) decided to apply within the last year, with popular motivating factors including a general interest in dentistry, a desire to help people and to work with their hands. Dentistry was the first choice of career of 89%, with medicine the most popular alternative. Conclusion Valuable information was gathered from these prospective dental students regarding their backgrounds and the decision process involved in their career selection. This will prove beneficial when developing the recruitment process and allow appropriate tailoring to the target audience.

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