Heavy metal and selenium concentrations in black skimmers (Rynchops niger): Gender differences

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (Germany)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203805· OSTI ID:6943782

Burger, J; Gochfeld, M ^[1]

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1. Rutgers-the State Univ., Piscataway, NJ (United States)

Most studies of heavy metals and selenium have not examined or have failed to find differences in concentrations in the tissues of birds as a function of size or sex. Heavy metal and selenium concentrations were analyzed in breast feathers of adult black skimmers Rynchops niger, a species with marked sexual size dimorphism in which males average 35% heavier than females. Females had significantly higher concentrations of lead and cadmium than males, but there were no gender differences in mercury, selenium, chromium, manganese, and copper despite the marked sexual dimorphism in body size. There were no significant correlations of bird weight or wing length and metal and selenium concentrations, and few correlations among metal and selenium concentrations in the feathers.

• OSTI ID: 6943782
• Journal Information: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (Germany), Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (Germany) Vol. 23:4; ISSN AECTCV; ISSN 0090-4341
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIRDS
BODY
CADMIUM
CHROMIUM
COPPER
DIMENSIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FEATHERS
FEMALES
LEAD
LENGTH
MALES
MANGANESE
MERCURY
METALS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SEX
SIZE
TISSUES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT