Geographical and habitat differences in concentrations of copper, zinc and arsenic in eggshells of the Rook Corvus frugilegus in Poland

Abstract

Levels of copper, zinc, and arsenic were analyzed in the Rook Corvus frugilegus eggshells from 43 breeding colonies located in different parts of Poland. The average [95% confidence interval (CI)] level of copper was found to be 8.13 (0.64-15.62) ppm, of zinc 13.81 (7.99-19.62) ppm, and of arsenic 32.57 (25.60-39.54) ppm. The concentration levels of these metals varied widely in the surveyed shells, with the difference between extreme values being 90-fold for copper, 57-fold for zinc, and 36-fold for arsenic. General linear model (GLM) analysis revealed that the accumulation of copper in eggshells from urban rookeries was significantly higher than that in eggshells from rookeries in villages [average 19.31 (4.57-43.20) vs. 2.74 (2.36-3.12) ppm, respectively]. In comparison, the concentration of zinc in eggshells of urban colonies was only close to being significantly higher than that in eggshells of rural colonies (P = 0.07), and the arsenic levels in eggshells of rural and urban colonies were similar. No significant differences were found for any of the metals between rookeries located in the areas of intensive (western Poland) and extensive (eastern Poland) agriculture. Based on a comparison of our data with published data on arsenic contamination in different biota, including tissues and bird eggs of terrestrial and aquatic animals, the level of arsenic in Rook eggshells found in our study can be regarded as extremely high and is most likely due to the widespread use of pesticides containing arsenic.

A review on exposure and effects of arsenic in passerine birds

“…In general, As concentrations in passerine eggs range from 0.01 to 4.2 μg/g dw (Table 1). However, Orłowski et al (2010) found that As concentration in the eggshells of 30 of the 43 rook (Corvus frugilegus) populations studied exceeded 20 μg/g dw, an extremely high level. The authors relate these levels with the long-term accumulation in the soil due to the use of pesticides, and indicate that, at these extreme levels, As can be regarded as a threat to the growth and development of the rooks.…”

“…Nonetheless, different authors have found that As is incorporated to eggs in passerines (Dauwe et al, 1999(Dauwe et al, , 2005aMora, 2003;Orłowski et al, 2010). In general, As concentrations in passerine eggs range from 0.01 to 4.2 μg/g dw (Table 1).…”

“…For instance, zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) dosed with different MMA concentrations for 14 days excreted more than 90% of the overall total arsenic detected (Albert et al, 2008a). In birds, arsenic can be sequestered in feathers during molt (Geens et al, 2010;Janssens et al, 2001), and females can eliminate it by transferring it in their eggs and eggshells during the breeding season (Orłowski et al, 2010;Ruuskanen et al, 2014;Tsipoura et al, 2008). Birds can also rid the body of metals by depositing them in the uropygial gland and the salt gland (Burger and Gochfeld, 1985;Salibian and Montalti, 2009).…”

The pattern of distribution and interaction of metals and calcium in eggshells and egg contents in relation to the embryonic development of eggs in a small passerine bird

“…For instance, the highest respective mean Pb and Zn concentrations in several species of small passerines from Arizona did not exceed 1.8 Pb ppm d.w. and 79.8 Zn ppm d.w. in the egg contents and 1.5 Pb ppm d.w. and 79.8 Zn ppm in shells (for two species) (Mora 2003). Similarly, the post-hatch eggshells of the Rook Corvus frugilegus (a focal bird species of European farmland especially vulnerable to high doses of inorganic contaminants derived from their invertebrate diet obtained from crop fields) from 43 rookeries in rural and urban areas of Poland contained a mere 3.29 (range = 1.72-11.53) Pb ppm d.w. and 13.81 (range = 0.52-117.96) Zn ppm d.w. (Orłowski et al 2010(Orłowski et al , 2014b. The average Zn concentration in the egg contents of Tree Swallows Tachycineta bicolor from a wetland in Minnesota sampled between 1998 and 2001 ranged from 58.2 to 69.1 Zn ppm d.w. (Custer et al 2006).…”

Tissue Distribution of Heavy Metals in Heron and Egret Chicks from Pyeongtaek, Korea

“…Herons and egrets might be suitable bioindicators for the evaluation of inorganic pollution because they are top consumers in the ecosystem and can accumulate contaminants through bioaccumulation and biomagnification (Malik and Zeb 2009). Heron and egret species may inhabit water sheds with intensive agricultural areas, urban wastes, and industrial effluents (Boncompagni et al 2003;Orłowski et al 2010).…”