Toxic Element Concentrations in the Razorbill Alca torda (Charadriiformes, Alcidae) in Portugal

• Published in: Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 56; no. 3; pp. 588 - 595
• Main Authors: Ribeiro, A. R, Eira, C, Torres, J, Mendes, P, Miquel, J, Soares, A. M. V. M, Vingada, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York New York : Springer-Verlag 01.04.2009; Springer-Verlag; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accumulation; Adults; Age; Age Factors; Alca torda; Alcidae; Animal feathers; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Aquatic birds; Aves; Biological and medical sciences; Birds; Cadmium; Cadmium - analysis; Charadriiformes; Charadriiformes - metabolism; Chromium - analysis; Coasts; Copper - analysis; Detoxification; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Feathers - chemistry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Kidney - chemistry; Kidneys; Lead; Lead - analysis; Liver; Liver - chemistry; Marine ecology; Mercury; Mercury - analysis; Metal concentrations; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Muscles - chemistry; Parasitology; Pollution; Population; Reference materials; Soil Science & Conservation; Studies; Toxicity; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Zinc; Portugal; Europe; ANE, Portugal; Internal Tissue; Inorganic Element; Contamination Risk; Central Coast; Element Level; Concentration measurement; Vertebrata; Pollution; Ecotoxicology; Toxicity; Environment; Alca torda; Aves
• ISSN: 0090-4341; 1432-0703
• DOI: 10.1007/s00244-008-9215-5

The present study provides the first data on inorganic element levels (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn) in juvenile, immature, and adult razorbills (Alca torda) collected along the central coast of Portugal. Element concentrations were assessed by ICP-MS in kidney, liver, muscle, and feathers of 28 razorbills, including 4 juveniles, 17 subadults, and 7 adults. The effect of age and tissue on element accumulation was also assessed. The detected levels in razorbills may indicate a possible contamination risk by Hg and Cr. With respect to bird tissues, higher accumulation of Se and Cd was detected in kidney, Zn and Pb in feathers, and As and Mn in liver. Age was found to affect the accumulation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, and Mn, juveniles presenting higher levels of Cu and Mn than older individuals. In razorbill kidney, Zn-Hg constituted the most significant relationship among metal concentrations. Liver presented the highest number of significant relationships (mostly involving Zn and Co). With regard to feathers, the most significant relationships involved Se, Zn, Cr and Cu concentrations. Positive linear relationships were detected among kidney, liver, and muscle, with emphasis on relationships involving Se and Hg, which may be indicative of similar accumulation/regulation mechanisms in those organs. Element concentrations are discussed in view of possible detoxification mechanisms in seabirds.