Mercury residues in tissues of dead and surviving birds fed methylmercury

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1978 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01685396· OSTI ID:5298193

Finley, M T ^[1]; Stickel, W H; Christensen, R E

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1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, MD

Concentrations of mercury in passerine birds fed diets containing 40 ppM methylmercury were similar in tissues of birds that died from mercury poisoning and in those that were sacrificed after half the group had died. Residues were higher in tissues of birds that died, but the differences were not statistically significant. Residue levels were highest in livers, followed by kidneys and brains. Levels of mercury were similar in breast muscle, carcass, and whole body. Mercury levels were highest in redwinged blackbirds, lowest in grackles, and intermediate in starlings and cowbirds. Mercury concentrations exceeded 20 ppM in all tissues of all species and were similar to levels reported in wild birds known to have died of mercury poisoning.

• OSTI ID: 5298193
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 21:1/2; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIRDS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
GLANDS
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MERCURY
METALS
METHYLMERCURY
MUSCLES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES