Metals in albatross feathers from Midway Atoll: Influence of species, age, and nest location
In this paper the authors examine the concentrations of metals (heavy metals, mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium, manganese, tin; and metalloids, arsenic and selenium), in the down and contour (body) feathers of half-grown young albatrosses, and contour feathers of one of their parents. They collected feathers from Laysan Diomedea immutabilis and black-footed Diomedea nigripes albatrosses from Midway Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. The authors test the null hypotheses that there is no difference in metal levels as a function of species, age, feather type, and location on the island. Using linear regression they found significant models accounting for the variation in the concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium, selenium, chromium, and manganese (but not arsenic or tin) as a function of feather type (all metals), collection location (all metals but lead), species (selenium only), and interactions between these factors. Most metals (except mercury, arsenic, and tin) were significantly higher in down than in the contour feathers of either chicks or adults. Comparing the two species, black-footed albatross chicks had higher levels of most elements (except arsenic) in their feathers and/or down. Black-footed adults had significantly higher levels of mercury and selenium. They also collected down and feathers from Laysan albatross chicks whose nests were close to buildings, including buildings with flaking lead paint and those that had been lead-abated.
- Research Organization:
- Rutgers Univ., Piscataway, NJ (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC01-95EW55084
- OSTI ID:
- 20026723
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Research, Vol. 82, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Mar 2000; ISSN 0013-9351
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGANISMS AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
AIR POLLUTION
ISLANDS
PACIFIC OCEAN
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
MERCURY
LEAD
CADMIUM
CHROMIUM
MANGANESE
TIN
ARSENIC
SELENIUM
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
AGE DEPENDENCE
FEATHERS
BIRDS