Heavy Metal, Arsenic, and Selenium Concentrations in Bird Feathers from a Region in Southern China Impacted by Intensive Mining of Nonferrous Metals

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution is widespread in China, particularly in its mining regions. Mercury (Hg) concentrations in birds from Guizhou Province were recently reported to be above adverse effect levels, even in nonmining areas. We sampled birds to investigate whether Hg might be a threat near lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and tin (Sn) mines in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. We measured concentrations of 8 metals/metalloids in feathers of 627 resident birds representing 60 species sampled across 14 sites on 5 rivers. We found that Hg concentrations (mean ± standard deviation, 1.27 ± 2.02 ppm) were lower than in the recent Guizhou study. Mercury had the fewest correlations with other metals/metalloids; the mined metals (Pb, Sn, Zn) had the most such correlations. Levels of cadmium (Cd; 1.12 ± 2.64 ppm), arsenic (As; 4.78 ± 17.11 ppm), and Pb (17.18 ± 24.49 ppm) were closer to thresholds of adverse effects or relatively high compared to other studies. With the exception of a few hot spots for Hg, Cd, and As near mines, metal/metalloid levels were fairly evenly distributed among sites, consistent with the regional occurrence of mineable ore deposits. It appears that Hg is not threatening to all avian species in China, although it may be problematic for some species near Hg mines. In addition to Hg, however, other metals/metalloids may pose wildlife health hazards. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:371-380.

Heavy metal concentrations in Canada geese, snow geese, mallards, and American coots from the northern Rocky Mountains in Montana

“…Canada and snow geese are herbivores (Jones 1941, Eddleman et al 1985, Giroux and Bédard 1988, Cadieux et al 2005. Multiple studies have identified that toxicological risk varies among avian species with metals accumulating differently in carnivores, invertivores, omnivores, and herbivores (Sample et al 2014, Liu et al 2015, He et al 2020).…”

“…For example, the diet of mallards and American coots are more diverse, often inclusive of plant material and macroinvertebrates, while Canada and snow geese are herbivores (Jones 1941, Eddleman et al 1985, Giroux and Bédard 1988, Cadieux et al 2005). Multiple studies have identified that toxicological risk varies among avian species with metals accumulating differently in carnivores, invertivores, omnivores, and herbivores (Sample et al 2014, Liu et al 2015, He et al 2020). In addition to physiological and diet‐related variation, temporal and spatial factors can also influence metal exposure (e.g., Burger and Gochfeld 1995, Hernout et al 2018, Howie et al 2018).…”

Stochastic processes shape the functional and phylogenetic structure of bird assemblages at the mine area in southwest China

“…Mining activities were conducted at a large scale for 40 years until the mine closure in 2001 due to environmental pollution and resource exhaustion ( Liu et al 2022 ). Our previous studies demonstrated that a large number of trace metals, including As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, and Zn were accumulated in feathers and internal tissues of the wild birds living at the mine area ( He et al 2019 ; Liu et al 2021 , 2022 ). In addition, some nature reserves in this area are listed as Important Bird Areas, which includes many globally threatened birds and new bird species ( Jiang et al 2014 ).…”

“…As is known to all, metal pollution has emerged as one of the most severe threats to global biodiversity ( Wei et al 2014 ; Chen et al 2020 ; Ahmad et al 2022 ). To date, most of the studies on trace metal pollution mainly focused on ecotoxicology and bioaccumulation ( Bonanno and Orlando-Bonaca 2018 ; He et al 2019 ), while the effects on biodiversity and the assembly processes of biotic communities are rarely studied ( Hernandez and Pastor 2008 ; Belskii and Mikryukov 2018 ).…”

Comparison of gut microbiota between immigrant and native populations of the Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) living in mining area

“…The French began mining here more than 100 years ago. However, due to environmental pollution and the depletion of mineral resources, the mine was closed in 2001 ( He et al, 2020 ). The region has a subtropical Marine monsoon climate, with an average annual precipitation of 1348.8 mm.…”