Mercury and Other Metals in Feathers of Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) and Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) from the Aleutian Chain of Alaska

Abstract

We analyzed arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, and selenium in the feathers of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) and tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) from Amchitka and Kiska islands (Aleutians). Between species, puffins had 10 times higher chromium (arithmetic mean = 1820 ppb), 7.5 times higher selenium (mean = 6600 ppb), and 3 times higher mercury (mean = 2540 ppb) than eiders. Eiders had significantly higher levels of manganese than puffins. Puffins are higher on the food chain than eiders, which is reflected in their generally higher levels of metals in their feathers. Interisland differences were generally small, and there were few significant differences as a function of the three nuclear test locations on Amchitka. The only sex-related difference was that female puffins had higher mercury than males (arithmetic mean of 3060 ppb vs. 2270 ppb). Mean levels of metals in the feathers of puffins and eiders from the Aleutians were low compared with comparable studies elsewhere, and the relatively low levels of metals do not indicate the potential for adverse behavioral or reproductive effects in the birds themselves, nor pose concern for other consumers, including subsistence hunters.

Assessment of environmental contamination using feathers of Bubulcus ibis L., as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution, Pakistan

“…Mean Mn concentration (15.3-26.9 lg/g) in feathers of cattle egret from three sites were within the range reported for little egrets nesting (17.5 lg/g) from Hong Kong, and for pond heron (23.5 lg/g) from China . However, these concentrations were greater to those reported for little egret (2.7 ppm), intermediate egret (2.2 ppm) from the Haliji Lake wetland, Pakistan (Boncompagni et al 2003), common eider (2.6 and 1.2 lg/g) and tufted puffin (0.7 and 0.5 lg/g) from the Aleutian Chain of Alaska (Burger and Gochfeld 2008) and lower to those reported for pigeon guillemots (0.9-1.75 lg/g) collected from the Alaska (Burger et al 2007). Similarly, Nam et al (2005) and Burger and Gochfeld (2000a) also exhibited lower mean Mn concentrations for feathers of adult great cormorant (8.8 lg/g) from Japan, adult red-footed boobies (1.5 lg/g), and great frigate-birds (0.6 lg/g) from Midway Atoll, Northern Pacific Ocean.…”

Mercury concentration in the feathers of birds from various trophic levels in Fereydunkenar International wetland (Iran)

“…Hg can be bioaccumulated and biomagnified in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but generally Hg levels tend to be higher in aquatic environments, due to direct runoff or input from rivers, point source pollution, atmospheric deposits, and further accumulation of pollutants in the bottom sediments (Wolfe and Norman 1998; Boening 2000; Driscoll et al 2007; Cristol et al 2008; Goodale et al 2008). This phenomenon leads to wildlife being exposed to it, and this may harm animals and even lead to population declines (Burger and Gochfeld 2009). …”

Elevated mercury levels in a wintering population of common eiders ( Somateria mollissima ) in the northeastern United States

“…Pollutant levels tend to be higher in aquatic environments due to direct run-off or input from rivers, point-source pollution, and atmospheric deposition (Chen et al, 2008;Goodale et al, 2008). Similarly, species that forage in aquatic environments are at higher risk of increased levels of contamination because of the potential for rapid movement of contaminants in aquatic food chains and the accumulation of pollutants in the bottom sediments of intertidal and shallow marine environments (Burger and Gochfeld, 2009). Following deposition, inorganic Hg may be converted to its more bioavailable, and toxic form, methylmercury (MeHg).…”

“…2014; Wayland et al, 2008a;Fisk et al, 2005;Barjaktarovic et al, 2002). Trace elements in sea ducks have typically been examined in liver or kidney samples; however non-lethal sampling methods using feather and blood samples have recently been used with increased frequency (Bond and Diamond, 2009;Burger and Gochfeld, 2009;Wayland et al, 2007). Blood is best used to indicate short-term exposure and recent dietary uptake Monteiro and Furness, 2001;Kahle and Becker, 1998).…”