Trace Elements in Feathers and Eggshells of Two Tropical Seabirds from Malaysia

• Published in: Marine ornithology Vol. 49; no. 2; p. 335
• Main Authors: Hamza, Abdulmaula, Hisham, Alya Syakirin, Suratman, Suhaimi, Bidai, Joseph Anak, Shazili, Noor Azhar Bin Mohamed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Honolulu Pacific Seabird Group 01.10.2021
• Subjects: Aquatic birds; Cadmium; Feathers; Heavy metals; Lead; Manganese; Metal concentrations; Onychoprion anaethetus; Seabirds; Sterna sumatrana; Synergistic effect; Trace elements; Trace metals; Tropical climate; Zinc; Malaysia
• DOI: 10.5038/2074-1235.49.2.1441
• ISSN: 1018-3337

Seabird feathers and eggshells are used as bio-monitors for trace metal contamination. Eleven trace element concentrations in wing primaries (n = 21) and eggshells (n = 8) are reported herein for two resident seabirds, Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus and Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana, at Pulau Ling and Pulau Tokung Burung, Malaysia. Metal concentration followed the pattern Zn > Cr > Mn > Sr > Cu > Se > Ba > Pb > Cd > Ga > Li. Significant positive correlations existed among all trace metals, except for Cr in Black-naped Tern and Li and Cd in Bridled Tern feathers. We also analyzed metal concentrations in eggshells, and for Bridled Tern the concentration pattern was Zn > Mn > Se > Sr > Ba > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd, whereas for Black-naped Tern it was Cr > Zn > Mn > Ba > Sr > Se > Cu> Co > Pb. A pairwise positive correlation was significant among most trace metals in feather samples, indicating synergistic effects of two or more elements. More studies are needed to build a baseline database of trace metal concentrations in seabirds of Southeast Asia, as little research on this subject has been conducted in this region.