Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in pre-fledgling tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01701876· OSTI ID:7104470

Kraus, M L ^[1]

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1. Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, Lyndhurst, NJ (USA)

Wetlands in urbanized areas are frequently degraded by human activity. The Hackensack River Estuary in Northeastern New Jersey is no exception. This estuary contains over 1,600 acres of landfill, and receives various levels of treated effluent from seven different sewage treatment plants. Heavy metals are a common pollutant in the Hackensack River Basin. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in birds is a well documented phenomenon. Studies have shown that near shore predatory birds have higher mercury levels in their feathers than do pelagic predatory birds. Other studies have shown that insectivorous pied flycatcher nestlings and black-crowned night heron pre-fledglings show heavy metal body burdens that correlate well with the distance of their nests from a heavy metal source. The tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) is a common summer resident in the Hackensack Meadowlands. This species readily nests in man-made nest boxes, and has used boxes erected for this purpose in the Hackensack Meadowlands District (HMD). The swallows feed primarily on adult midges (Chironomus decorus) which are prevalent in the region. This relationship makes the tree swallows and midges an ideal model for food chain bioaccumulation studies.

• OSTI ID: 7104470
• Journal Information: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA), Journal Name: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA) Vol. 43:3; ISSN 0007-4861; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIRDS
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
EGGS
ELEMENTS
EMBRYOS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FOOD CHAINS
LARVAE
LEAD COMPOUNDS
METALS
NESTS
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SEDIMENTS
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES