Assessment of Trace-Metal Concentrations in Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) and Siberian Gull (Larus heuglini) From Southern Iran

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the levels of heavy metals, namely, chromium, copper, cobalt, nickel, and iron, in Western Reef heron (Egretta gularis) (n = 15) and Siberian gull (Larus heuglini) (n = 15) to (1) compare metal concentrations between two bird species with different trophic level, molting pattern, and life strategy; (2) examine species- and sex-related variations in trace-metal accumulation; and (3) determine the significance between heavy-metal concentrations in kidney, liver, and pectoral muscle. Bird samples were collected from November to December 2010 throughout the Hara Biosphere Reserve, and heavy metals were assayed by using a Shimadzu AA 680 flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer; the results were given as μg/g dry weight. Metal concentrations were different between the bird species as well as among bird tissues, but there was no difference (except chromium and iron in kidney) between sex (male vs. female). Mean levels in kidney of Western Reef heron and Siberian gull were chromium (0.96, 2.32 μg/g), copper (6.31, 10.55 μg/g), cobalt (0.12, 0.14 μg/g), nickel (1.13, 1.32 μg/g), and iron (37.92, 39.64 μg/g), respectively, whereas in liver they were chromium (1.05, 2.75 μg/g), copper (8.93, 12.63 μg/g), cobalt (0.09, 0.17 μg/g), nickel (1.1, 2.27 μg/g), and iron (34.03, 44.21 μg/g), respectively. Results showed that heavy-metal concentrations in Western Reef heron were decreased in the sequence iron > copper > nickel > chromium > cobalt, whereas in Siberian gull they were decreased in the sequence iron > copper > chromium > nickel > cobalt. Results also showed that in both species, the highest chromium and nickel concentrations were measured in female birds and the lowest in male birds, whereas the highest copper, cobalt, and iron (except iron in liver) concentrations were measured in male birds and the lowest in female birds.

Contaminations of Metal in Tissues of Siberian Gull Larus heuglini: Gender, Age, and Tissue Differences

“…The variety of biosphere reserve with its unique mangrove trees provides a diverse habitat for birds like gulls, egrets, herons, pelicans, and plovers. It also serves as a breeding and spawning habitat for fish, shrimp, and other crustaceans, therefore, represents a center of biodiversity in Iran (Mansouri et al 2012).…”

“…These species can provide interesting data to relation monitor the quality of the environment (Kim and Koo 2008). Many studies have recommended Seabirds as bioindicators for metals in aquatic systems and local pollution around breeding sites (Burger 2002;Barbieri et al 2009;Mansouri et al 2012). Because Seabirds such as gulls are high at the top of their food pyramid and can yield information over a large area around each sampling site, not only on bioavailability of contaminants but also on how, where, and when they are transferred within the food web (Battaglia et al 2005).…”

“…Yet, some highly migratory species, such as seabirds, have been largely ignored. In the other hands, there are only a few reports that document metal contamination in southern Iran seabirds (Zolfaghari et al 2009;Mansouri et al 2011bMansouri et al , 2012. Hence, our study aimed to further investigate the concentrations of cadmium, lead, and zinc in Siberian gull (Larus heuglini) from southern Iran, in order to: (1) examine the sex and gender related variation in trace metal accumulation, and (2) to determine the significant between metal concentrations in the kidney, liver, and pectoral muscle.…”

Distribution of mercury in some organs of the Kani Barazan wetland common coot (Fulica atra)

“…[5][6][7] Waterbirds are at the top of the food chain and can provide data over a large area around each sampling site, supplying data on not only the bioavailability of contaminants, but also how, where and when they are transferred into the food chain. [8][9][10] In the Kani Barazan wetland region, the common coot, Fulica atra commonly breeds among plants, often forming dense multispecific colonies surrounded by diverse foraging habitats. Therefore, they suffer from contamination by wastewater discharges, as detected in various studies using waterbirds as indicators.…”

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“…Birds can be exposed to heavy metals both externally through physical contact, and internally by consumption of contaminated food [20]- [27]. Nestling's feathers was taken as experimental model for the study.…”