Comparison of the Metal Concentrations in Organs of Two Bird Species from Western of Iran

Abstract

This study was conducted to measure the concentration of several elements (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) in organs of Coot, Fulica atra, and Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, in order to: (1) determine the significant between metal concentrations in different organs (kidney, liver, pectoral muscle, and feather), (2) to evaluate species differences in metal exposure and accumulation, and (3) to study gender-related trends in metal accumulation. The metal concentrations in organs of F. atra and A. platyrhynchos decreased in the following order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. These results revealed that there were no significant differences between males and females except for Cu in liver and feather, and Pb in kidney.

Factors affecting trace element accumulation in livers of avian species from East Poland

“…They found geometric means of hepatic Cd for the above species of 0.65 mg/kg dw, 0.37 mg/kg dw, and 0.48 mg/kg dw, respectively. For mallards from Iran, Mansouri and Majnoni (2014) determined a mean hepatic Cd concentration of 1.81 mg/kg dw. Such data correspond well with that for mallards from Warsaw.…”

“…Birds are susceptible to bioaccumulation of pollutants mainly through the consumption of contaminated food. These species can provide interesting data to monitor the quality of the environment (Nowrouzi et al, 2012;Kim and Oh, 2013;Mansouri and Majnoni, 2014). They are often used for the indication of heavy elements because, in nature, these elements are persistent and easily accumulate in their key organs, such as the liver or kidneys.…”

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

“…In contrast, the common teal ( Anas crecca ) showed higher lead levels of 1.19 ± 0.74 μg/g dw (Baroghil valley) and 2.34 ± 0.31 μg/g dw (Soan valley) (Abbasi et al 2015 ). In north-western Iran, the lead level in mallard feathers was 0.71 ± 0.15 μg/g dw (Mansouri and Majnoni 2014 ). Iran’s areas are diverse in terms of lead contamination.…”

“…In whooper swans ( Cygnus cygnus ), the median lead level was 2 μg/g dw (Nam and Lee 2011 ). In mallards from north-western Iran, the concentration of lead in the liver was 1.81 ± 0.20 μg/g dw (Mansouri and Majnoni 2014 ). In gadwall ( Anas strepera ) and common teals ( Anas crecca ) wintering on Miankaleh and Gomishan International Wetlands, located in the southern part of Caspian Sea (northern Iran), the concentrations of lead in the liver were 10.73 and 3.60 μg/g dw (Sinkakarimi et al 2018 ), respectively.…”

Metal Concentrations in Tissues of Gadwall and Common Teal from Miankaleh and Gomishan International Wetlands, Iran

“…Metal concentrations did not differ between sexes in the liver and kidneys of Canvasback ( Aythya valisineria ) [ 24 ], liver and blood of Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ), Pintail ( Anas acuta ), Shoveler ( Anas clypeata ), and Tufted Duck ( Aythya fuligula ) [ 14 , 50 ]. In contrast, significant differences in Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations between males and females were noted in liver of Scaup ( Aythya marila ) [ 29 ], kidneys, liver, and feathers of Common Coot ( Fulica atra ) and Mallard [ 45 ] and kidneys, liver, and muscles of Pochard ( Aythya ferina ) [ 55 ]. It is likely that differences in foraging habits and physiology between males and females, coupled with season of collection and distribution of elements among habitats, drive differences in exposures between the genders.…”