Metal concentrations in selected organs and tissues of five Red-knobbed Coot (<i>Fulica cristata</i>) populations

Abstract

The Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata is an abundant aquatic bird in South Africa and was anticipated to have indicator abilities for metal pollution. This hypothesis was tested on 83 coot samples collected from five selected aquatic ecosystem areas supporting substantial coot populations, of which various abiotic and biotic components are known to contain varying levels of a number of metals. The aim of this study was achieved by determining the variations in Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb concentrations in liver, kidney, bone and blood samples, with the use of standard flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry techniques. Coots from the Germiston Lake sampling site showed the highest concentrations of cadmium in liver (2.2 µg/g d.w.) and kidney (5.4 µg/g d.w.). The absence of metalprocessing industries in the catchments of the Florida Lake and the Steynsrus farm dams reflects the low liver and kidney concentrations of Cd, Ni and Cu, respectively. The blood of the Natalspruit wetland coots contained the highest dry weight concentrations of Ni (11.4 µg/g), Cd (1.8 µg/g) and Cu (14.4 µg/g). The statistical evaluation points towards small-scale geographical differences, especially in the concentrations of Cu, Ni and Pb and in the liver, kidney and blood. However, in terms of actual metal concentrations recorded, no significant differences existed between coots of the reference site (Steynsrus farm dams) and those from the other four localities. It is concluded that the impact of metal-containing diets on the tissue concentrations of these metals in birds plays a far more significant role compared to the migratory habits or short-range movements of the coots.

Bioaccumulation of Cadmium in Gallus Fed in Punjab, Pakistan: A Human Health Concern

“…In present experimental study, during both of the seasons, viz Spring and Autumn, the maximum (E-1, (0.57±0.02 mg/kg); E-2, 1.01±0.02 mg/kg) and the minimum (E-1, 0.51±0.01 mg/kg; E-2, 0.43±0.08 mg/kg) Cd concentrations of bones was much less than those reported by Eeden [37] while working on Red knobbed Coots, and Kim et al [38] while conducting study on heavy metals in tissues including bones, of five shorebird species including bone). Our values vary with that of their findings, which may be due to numerous factors like growth, age, breeds, mode of feeding, etc., which may affect accumulation and transportation of metals within the body of birds [39,40].…”

Research Progress on Migratory Water Birds: Indicators of Heavy Metal Pollution in Inland Wetland Resources of Punjab, Pakistan

“…The increasing order of Ni was as follows: F. atra < A. strepera < A. crecca. The mean Ni concentrations were higher than those reported by Lebedeva [29] and Van Eeden [30]. The mean concentration of Zn ranged between 85.87 µg/g and 521 µg/g, higher than the values in various studies [19,31,32].…”

Heavy Metals in Eight Edible Fish Species from Two Polluted Tributaries (Aik and Palkhu) of the River Chenab, Pakistan

“…On the contrary, nonsignificant spatial and seasonal variations in Cr accumulation were reported from Olifants River segment situated in Kruger National Park, South Africa [6]. Mean Cd and Cu concentration showed nonsignificant spatial differences [32]. Mean Cd and Cu concentration did not show pronounced variations between upstream and downstream zones.…”